Are chosera stones on the edge pro apex a bad idea for a beginner sharpener?

[DennisTheMenace0]

Hey guys, within the next month or so I will be investing in the edge pro apex 4. I have been researching the edge pro apex for a while and I'm really looking forward to using it. I typically use my lansky deluxe 5 stone system, but since I've been investing in more expensive knives (such as spyderco domino), I really want to use a machine that is higher quality so I can avoid damaging my knives. Anyways, I was looking on chef knives to go and they have an edge pro that comes with Chosera stones. I guess my first question is, what exactly is the difference between the chosera stones and the stones that come standard with the edge pro apex? And also, would you recommend these stones for a beginner sharpener? As I've said I use the lansky deluxe system, but I am by no means at an expert, or even intermediate level.

 

[lynus]

Chosera are some of the best man made stones you can buy. So are the Shapton stones and the Nubatama stones are also highly regarded. I wouldn't buy any of them for the edge pro. I would start off with a coarse and fine diamond stone such as the Atoma 400 and 1200. I say Atoma because I know you can pretty easily find them for the edge pro already on blanks and they are pretty decent quality. Use those for awhile to refine your technique. You won't have to worry about resetting the grind angle on the edge pro when moving to different stones because they are the same thickness and you won't have to worry about lapping any of your other water stones. Making the tool more basic will help limit any additional things that can prevent you from not being able to sharpen effectively in my opinion. Especially when starting off. You will be able to get an incredible sharp edge with just these two stones. Investing in a decent strop after you can get a pretty sharp edge with just the stones would be my next recommendation. Learning how to properly strop and utilize this in your sharpening rotation will really advance you results.

If you feel the need to go away from diamond stones or want to move up to a higher grit you begin to encounter a wide range of options. In my mind, if you feel like you are missing something after the diamond stones you are on the path to freehand sharpening anyway and can skip the money/time in acquiring additional edge pro stones. If you are happy with the edge you can produce with the two diamond stones you skipped a lot of hassle and money spent trying to obtain a sharp, workable edge. The Shapton 1000 and 5000 stones work great together. The Chosera 800 and 3000 work really nicely. Or the Nubatama 1000 speckled Ume followed by either the Nubatama bamboo 3000, which I really like,or the Nubatama Ume 4000, which I have not used but has pretty good feedback around the web. If it were me I would simply do the 2 diamond stones for quite awhile. If you feel like there is something missing from your sharpening experience really consider investing first in a strop then in some bench stones with the above combinations and refining a freehand technique. You can always use the edge pro and diamond stones to set a really nice angle then move to freehand using the edge you have established.

 

[singularity35]

I'd also suggest picking up a set of Moldmasters from Congresstools. Pretty cheap and IMHO, works better than the stock stones, at the very least. You can practice with these and you might even get to like them. I have and I won't spend more than I do on these and because they work pretty well for me.