GodHand Kamiyasu Sanding Stick is one of those tools that takes way too long to show up in the hobby world outside Japan, and now that it's here, it's hard to go back to anything else. Made in Japan and the go-to sanding stick among Japanese modelers, the Kamiyasu is built on a highly durable fabric file instead of regular sandpaper. That makes a real difference. It doesn't tear when you fold it, it holds up session after session, and the cutting power lasts a lot longer than what you'd expect from a disposable stick.

The lineup comes in five thicknesses: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm, and that's where things get interesting. The 1mm is the thinnest of the range, built for the tightest spots and most delicate contouring work. The 2mm is highly flexible and wraps around curves easily, great for most curved surface work. The 3mm sits in the all-rounder sweet spot, rigid enough for flat work, still flexible enough for gentle curves. The 5mm is practically semi-rigid and your best pick when you want a stable sanding surface or need to cut it into a custom shape to hit a specific area cleanly. The 10mm is the widest option, giving you maximum coverage on large flat surfaces where you want fast, even material removal.

Grit selection is where you really dial in your results:

• #120 to #400: These are your heavy hitters. Use them for knocking down big nubs, smoothing off harder plastic, or cleaning up larger surface areas that need real material removal.
• #600 to #1000: The middle range and honestly the most common scenario for most builds. If you're working with a modelling knife or a quality nipper like the SPN-120 that cuts close to the part, this is where you'll spend most of your time. You're removing the scratches left by coarser grits and getting the surface to a level where paint will sit evenly under the airbrush.
• #1000 and above: For bare plastic finishing, also known as snap build. If you're not painting and want to keep the original colors, working up through these finer grits removes all visible scratches and leaves a clean, natural surface. If you want to take your snap build even further into fine polish territory, check out the GodHand Kamiyasu Migaki, which picks up where this range leaves off with grits from #2000 all the way to #10000, specifically designed for builds that won't be airbrushed and need that extra level of surface refinement.

A couple of tips that make a noticeable difference. When you open a new Kamiyasu, scratch two sticks of the same grit against each other a few times first. This knocks off any sharp, uneven abrasive particles on the surface and prevents those random deep scratches you sometimes get on fresh files.

For higher grits, some modelers like to add a little water while sanding as an optional technique. It's not required at all, but wet sanding can help keep dust down, reduce clogging, and give finer, more consistent results if that's your preference. When you're done, knock off the residue with an old toothbrush or a microfiber cloth.

Each pack is color-coded and numbered in water-resistant ink so you can always tell your grits apart mid-session. Piece count varies by thickness: 2mm and 3mm come in packs of 5, 5mm in packs of 4, and 10mm in packs of 10.

Fair warning though: avoid prolonged soaking in water or contact with lacquer solvents, as this can break down the adhesive and cause the abrasive layer to peel.