Tell me about the Chosera stones, in general or with the EdgePro

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Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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As the subject says, tell me what are the good points or bad, of the Chosera stones? I have an EdgePro and am thinking of getting a couple for that, they are pricey compared to the regular EdgePro stones, twice the price...

Also thinking of getting a bench stone too for some free hand sharpening.

So let me know the in's and outs as I've not heard of this type of stones before.

Thanks in advance!
G2
 
Never used them, but from everything I've read and watched, they are very high-quality, slow-wearing waterstones that have a great feel (freehand).

They aren't cheap, but they seem to be some of the best.
 
I'm very happy with mine so far. I've only used them a couple of times, but they work great. I'm new to freehand sharpening though, so I can't really compare them to anything. From what I've read they're supposed to be harder and wear slower than many other water stones. And cut faster. I've been practising on a #1000 and #5000 stone and those two are sufficient to put a very good edge on my kitchen knives (no super steels). The stones are not supposed to be soaked, but the 5k needs quite a bit of water. I read some horror stories about the stones cracking if soaked too long or dried too quickly.
 
Here is some info from Youtube you might find interesting:
[youtube]XVNFEAiMjzU[/youtube]
[youtube]BqgslH6dwvk[/youtube]
 
Thanks guys and JD for the vid's always looking for the next best thing, almost as bad as having to keep buying new knives!! :)
I may give the 400 and 600 grits a whirl for my EdgePro for now.

G2
 
Both Chosera and Shapton are very good... I think if I had to pick one or the other, I'd end up with the Shaptons. Then you get into Shapton Pro or Shapton Glass...

Really hard call, though. I have the Choseras in 5K and 8K on my EP Apex, and they work superbly on every steel I've applied them to so far, including M390.
 
I have a friend that I get to see usually each year at the Ashokan seminar, he carrys the Shapton's all about sharp he is, mostly the flat stones, I'll have to see if he carries any in the EP configuration as I didn't have that system last year so didn't ask.

5 and 8k are a lot higher than I usually go, I'll strop on the 2k tape stuck on leather which does give a nice keen edge to the blade, but have to give these higher stones a try.

Thanks,
G2
 
Honestly, they are BOTH very good stones, it's the classic high-end competition where the differences start getting very minute.

Another up-and-comer worth looking at (and at a very good price!) is the Nubatama line of stones. Ken Schwartz over at CKTG has just introduced those to the US market, both as freehand stones and mounted for the EP and WEPS. The price on them is considerably less than the other two, and they're head-and-shoulders above the stock Boride-sourced stones. Not sure if they're serious competition for Chosera and Shapton, but they are reputed to be excellent performers. Ken's got a fair number of Youtube reviews on them up.

As if there weren't quite enough choices already. :D
 
I have a growing set of Nubatama stones in the Bamboo series and couldn't be happier. They are great if you like a natural polish or are looking to create contrasting finishes like those of a natural waterstone. They cut quickly and with a broad range of metals including many powder steels and if you plan to freehand you will like the brick size stones.

There are a few different types of stones (i.e. working qualities) within the Nubatama series. It's basically what it all boils down to between all the stones, the way the stone reacts with metal and if it lives up to expectations. Splash-n-go or muddy? Folders or chef knives? Lotta use little use? The list goes on....

So... What would you like from the stone?
 
Sounds like some nice stones to try
Main use will be folders with a variety of steels.
G2
 
Hello G2,
First may I say that I am still enjoying those custom sheaths I have from years past from you!
As to the Edge Pro question, I recently spoke with Mark at Chef Knives to Go regarding a upcoming knife in S90V and his reccomendation was to give the Shapton Glass a very serious look.
Cheers
 
Any one know a place that takes Amex for the Shaptons in EP configuration? I'm not a big credit card kinda guy, so just one is used and then paid off when or before the bill is due, just cleaner that way, less worry too. The few places I've seen don't accept the Amex, I guess they are more trouble for the seller to use?
G2
 
My set of EP stones are: 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 3000, 5000, 10000... If the end result your looking for is a scary sharp, high gloss mirror finish for your knife edges then I highly recommend getting the chosera stones. With that said, for my daily user knives, I typically stop at the 1k stone and finish with stropping... For me, I really don't see much point or benefit to progressing beyond that grit for my EDC.
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Any one know a place that takes Amex for the Shaptons in EP configuration? I'm not a big credit card kinda guy, so just one is used and then paid off when or before the bill is due, just cleaner that way, less worry too. The few places I've seen don't accept the Amex, I guess they are more trouble for the seller to use?
G2
Click to expand...
G2,
The best place to check for Shapton glass stones and other cool Edge Pro items such as the angle cube and collar for adjusting between different thicknesses of stones can be found at Chef Knives to Go. Lots of very helpful videos also. Mark runs a top notch show IMHO.
Best..
 
Ray Allen said:
G2,
The best place to check for Shapton glass stones and other cool Edge Pro items such as the angle cube and collar for adjusting between different thicknesses of stones can be found at Chef Knives to Go. Lots of very helpful videos also. Mark runs a top notch show IMHO.
Best..
Click to expand...



+1. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:




Big Mike
 
Thanks Ray and others, right now I've a basket of goodies there, but they don't take Amex, gonna call tomorrow and see if they'd accept a money order mailed in...

between the Shaptons, the Pro and the Glass, sup??
G2
 
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