Looking for japanese whetstones

B

big no-no

Joined
Nov 7, 2003
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Anybody have a source for japanese whetstones? I did a google search and as far as I can tell, I have to get the ones I want from Britain.:grumpy:
 
It works either way they do the same job, generally artificial stones are larger and flatter.
 
The shaptons are my favorite japanese waterstones. They aren't the traditional clay type, instead they're a ceramic abrasive type, much harder than traditional stones but they maintain their agressiveness as good or better. They're also some of the fastest cutting waterstones for their grit, and very consistent. The only thing they loose out on is "feel", they don't slide all buttery smooth like the natural japanese stones do, it's more like honing on a western stone that never dulls and cuts really fast.
 
Thanks Yoda! And don't forget my favorite feature, you don't have to soak them in water before using - just sprinkle some H2O on and go.
 
I looked at the shaptons...I'm sold. Now what grit for the Glasstones? I'm thinking I should get the 500, 2000, 4000, and 6000. Anything you would do different?
 
I'd probably leave out the 6000, I don't sharpen woodworking tools regularly so it would be a waste. If you're sharpening chisels and stuff I'd say it looks fine. Don't know about the lower grit stones, most other brands wear out relatively quickly and I haven't had the confidence to lay out 50 bucks to see if the coarse grit shaptons were any different.
 
big no-no said:
I looked at the shaptons...I'm sold. Now what grit for the Glasstones? I'm thinking I should get the 500, 2000, 4000, and 6000. Anything you would do different?
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I have 1000, 2000, and 8000 grit Glasstones. I use my DMT's for coarser work, and finish with the Glasstones. They are very gouge resistant and dish resistant compared to my Nortons. The grits I got work very well for going from 1 stone to the next. the 2000 to 8000 jump is easily handled by the 8000, so if you wanted to finish on a 6000 stone you can cut out the 4000, unless you want to finish with it on some knives also. As was said before the stones cut fast for their grit and they leave a clean edge.

Mike
 
For a pretty full range I'd also start with DMT 120 or 220 then the 600 then 1200, then go to the Shaptons 2000, 4000, 8000. You could also be very well set with just the DMT 120, and 600, then depending on how fine of an edge you want the Shapton 2000.
 
Those sharpton stones, do you have to flatten the tops of those every now and then like you do with regular whetstones? Or are they simalur to the diamond stones in that respect?

Thanks,
Matt
 
On the Shapton Pro's, you do have to flatten occasionally. I use the aforementioned DMT stones to flatten mine. Don't know about the new glasstones. It may tell you on their website.
 
Thanks, I remember looking on their website briefly a week or so ago but not finding any information, I was probably looking in the wrong places though.
I have a 600/1200 grip DMT stone that I use at the momant, I'm just in the market for something finer and I just thought I'd ask.

Thanks,
Matt
 
I use my DMT stones (Coarse mostly, but Fine works good if there is only minor dishing) to flatten my Glasstones.

Mike
 
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