I recently received 3 sharpening stones for review from Attila at Haidu Ceramics.  These are Silicone Carbide stones that come in several sizes, which are indicated by either HCA  (230x65x20mm) , HCB (170x60x20mm) , or HCC (100x35x10mm).

These stones are rated with the FEPA grit rating at F180 (JiS 180), F280 (JiS 360), F600 (JiS 1200) and F1,000 (JiS 2600). The F1,000 comes in a Medium (M) and Hard (H) formulation. I received the F280, F600, and F1,00o M grit stones.

Since these stones were making their rounds for reviews from others, they were clearly used, and were slightly dished and uneven. So the first thing I did was lap them. I used the Atoma #140 diamond plate. Lapping the 280 was pretty straight forward – it is solid, but not nearly as hard as Spyderco Ceramic stones (which is good news!). The 600 was more difficult to lap due to it being more dense, and the 1K was about the same, if not just a little bit easier. Overall, lapping them is not impossible, but it is clear that they will keep their flatness well over time. I’d highly recommend not letting them get too far out of flat, though.

On to the sharpening 🙂 These stones are porous, so I gave them a good soak in the bucket for about 30 minutes since they were completely dried out. The bubbles were fine – like champagne. Once they were good and soaked, they only needed a spritz before using. I first started on a Maestro Wu D-4 Veggie Cleaver, which is carbon steel at around RC 57-58.

The 280 did not seem as coarse as it is advertised (JiS 360), but more like a JiS 1,ooo. The stone worked better with a more roughly textured surface, and there seemed to be more burnishing effects than cutting effects with this particular knife, although there is cutting action. On the 600, the action was smoother, and had more positive feedback that reflects the JiS 1200 rating, and left a very good, smooth working edge. The 1K reacted best with this knife – there was still some nice feedback with cutting action, and the polishing effects were more desired. The edge after the 1K was improved over the 600.

The next knife was a cheapo stainless steel paring knife in desperate need of sharpening, which I’d say is RC 50-52. The 280 stone really came to life, with aggressive action that easily reprofiled the very blunt edge. The 600 put a very nice working edge, with there being no real difference on the 1K – this is a characteristic of the softer steels, not of the stone.

An Introduction to Haidu Ceramic Sharpening Stones

Haidu Ceramic Sharpening Stones are designed for sharpening and refining knives, straight razors, woodworking tools, and other cutting tools. Manufactured with ceramic abrasives, these stones provide a consistent sharpening surface that removes steel while maintaining a controlled scratch pattern.

Ceramic sharpening stones are commonly used during the middle and finishing stages of a sharpening progression, where the focus shifts from shaping the edge to refining the bevel and improving edge consistency.

How Ceramic Stones Work

Ceramic stones sharpen by using abrasive particles bonded within a ceramic matrix. As the blade moves across the stone, these abrasives remove small amounts of steel to create a new edge.

Unlike coarse stones used primarily for repairing damaged edges or establishing a bevel, ceramic stones are often selected to refine an existing edge and prepare it for final polishing or stropping.

Common Applications

Haidu Ceramic Sharpening Stones can be used for a variety of sharpening tasks, including:

• Kitchen knives
• Chef knives
• Pocket knives
• Straight razors
• Woodworking tools
• Chisels
• Plane irons
• Scissors (where appropriate)

They are suitable for both routine maintenance and complete sharpening progressions when paired with coarser and finer abrasives.

Sharpening Progression

A complete sharpening process often follows these stages:

1. Coarse Stone – Repair chips, reshape the edge, or establish a bevel.
2. Medium Ceramic Stone – Remove coarse scratches and refine the bevel.
3. Fine Ceramic Stone – Reduce the scratch pattern and improve edge consistency.
4. Strop or Polishing Medium – Refine the apex and remove any remaining burr.

The exact progression depends on the condition of the blade and the desired finish.

Using Haidu Ceramic Stones

For consistent results:

• Place the stone on a stable surface.
• Use the recommended lubricant, if required.
• Maintain a consistent sharpening angle.
• Apply even pressure throughout each stroke.
• Remove the burr before progressing to the next grit.
• Clean the stone after sharpening to remove metal particles.

Following a consistent technique helps produce an even bevel and repeatable results.

Who Are These Stones For?

Haidu Ceramic Sharpening Stones are suitable for:

• Home users maintaining kitchen knives.
• Knife enthusiasts building a sharpening progression.
• Straight razor users refining shaving edges.
• Woodworkers sharpening edge tools.
• Professional sharpeners looking for consistent abrasive performance.

Conclusion

I would rate the Haidu Ceramic stones as very good mid-range/ mid-price stones that are very well suited for routine maintenance and minor repair. Their hardness will resist gouging and stay relatively flat over time. The burnishing effects on the lower grit did help “increase” the overall grit of the edge, which is good if you want to finish on the 280, but has the opposite effect if you need to do repair work – but keep in mind that I didn’t try the F180, which should be the most aggressive stone.

I’d like to thank Attila from Haidu Ceramics for the opportunity to try these stones out!