It's been a long time since I needed a new set of water stones. However, my old ones are worn down to 1/4" or so and it's time to get a new set. The old ones were a King 1000 grit and a Norton 250 grit. These are the kind that need to be soaked prior to use for about 10 minutes, or until they quit bubbling.
I replaced them with a set of Naniwa Advanced Super Stones in 220, 800, & 2000 grit. These are 3/4" thick and only require a quick dunk or splash to be ready. They took a couple of knives to get used to, but they seem to work really well. They all produce a finish finer than the grit values would indicate. The edge off the 2000 grit stone will catch arm hair without touching my skin. I feel I may have been missing out by not trying others over the last 15 years my old waterstones have lasted. The only thing I need to try is rebeveling an edge. The knives I've tried so far have been set with a 12 degree per side edge angle. I have a couple I want to lower from 17 dps to 12 dps. If the 220-grit stone can do this efficiently, then I'll look into a full set by adding a 5000 and 10,000 grit stone. Does anyone use any other brands or lines of stones that might be worth a try? I've used DMT diamond, Norton India and Water Stones, and King water stones. The Naniwa Chosera stones were recommended on another forum, but I don't see a reason to switch with these working as well as they have. I also have and use a well worn Spyderco Sharpmaker. This was my preferred finishing tool for applying the final edge to most knives. However, I feel these stones have surpassed it. I'll have to do a head-to-head comparison to be able to tell the difference, if there is one.
I replaced them with a set of Naniwa Advanced Super Stones in 220, 800, & 2000 grit. These are 3/4" thick and only require a quick dunk or splash to be ready. They took a couple of knives to get used to, but they seem to work really well. They all produce a finish finer than the grit values would indicate. The edge off the 2000 grit stone will catch arm hair without touching my skin. I feel I may have been missing out by not trying others over the last 15 years my old waterstones have lasted. The only thing I need to try is rebeveling an edge. The knives I've tried so far have been set with a 12 degree per side edge angle. I have a couple I want to lower from 17 dps to 12 dps. If the 220-grit stone can do this efficiently, then I'll look into a full set by adding a 5000 and 10,000 grit stone. Does anyone use any other brands or lines of stones that might be worth a try? I've used DMT diamond, Norton India and Water Stones, and King water stones. The Naniwa Chosera stones were recommended on another forum, but I don't see a reason to switch with these working as well as they have. I also have and use a well worn Spyderco Sharpmaker. This was my preferred finishing tool for applying the final edge to most knives. However, I feel these stones have surpassed it. I'll have to do a head-to-head comparison to be able to tell the difference, if there is one.