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What waterstone to get?

Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
1,219
I was wondering what water stones/ceramic stones you guys reccomend. I am looking for an 8,000 grit waterstone. Shapton are out of the question, as they cost so much. I want a full size stone.
 
What stones do you have now and what is the grit progression?
 
What stones do you have now and what is the grit progression?

I have an old norton india stone that is "For Laminated Steel" that I only use for garden tools as it is a pocket stone and very rough. I have several coffee mugs that I use. The only benchstone I have is an old combo oil stone I am rehabbing with an 600-800 grit or so rough side,) with a 1000 grit or so fine side. My first stone, and one of my favorites, is a pocket stone (1,000?) that is marked "CARBORUNDUM" on one side. Also have a 5" long, 1/2" tall and wide dark stone that cuts fast and came in a metal holder in an old tackle box a nice old man gifted to me, (was looking for "a youngster who would appreciate my old tackle.") Sorry for ranting, but thats all I got.
 
Without knowing anything more about your requirements and steels types I'd recommend getting a combo Norton 1000/8000 waterstone. Its a lot of usefulness in a single stone. They're not the best out there, but do get consistent high marks overall and are reasonably priced.
 
Looking for a 8k waterstone when you have nothing to lead into it with would be money wasted. All I see now is a bunch of random unknown stones with unknown grit value, most of which are less than 1k grit by my knowledge.

I recommend the Arashiyama 1000 and 6000 grit stones. They will provide you with the means to get the edge you are looking for.
 
I have the Norton 1,000/4,000 and am very happy with it. They make a 4,000/8,000 combo as well. Suggest you get a stone flattener if you go this route, as you will need to re-plane the surface from time to time in order to get the best results from the stone.

You may want to look at the Norton sharpening combo... 220/1000 and 4000/8000 plus flatenner. It's about 120$ total and would address most needs. Add a leather bench strop and some green honing compound plus WD-40 and you could get a mirror polish.
 
I found a King 1000/4000 stone for around $40 including shipping. This should cover my needs for now, as I am still searching craigslist and flea markets for stones.
 
Norton combo...coarse and fine india stone.....is all you need......along with a piece of leather!
 
why not spend the money on the Shapton and have a set of stones which will last you a life time? I mean you obviously want those and you know how good they are.

I'd recommend the Shapton if you gotta go stones.
 
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