Sharpening Stone

[Unkis]

Gents,

I left this in the Hand Tool forum because no one knows sharpening better than the planers and chiselers. I would like to get a new polishing stone. Right now I have a 4000 and 6000, the 6000 doesn't seem to do much difference from the 4000 (in fact I think my 4000 gives a better result than the 6000? The 6000 just makes it cloudier), so I want to upgrade to an 8000. Question is, any takers on Shapton vs. Norton? Currently I have King and Lee Valley and they work fine, minus the cloudy 6000 (part of the Rockler sharpening kit). Prices seem to be very similar for Shapton vs Norton. Shapton is Ceramic though? anything special about Ceramic?

Thanks,
Chris

[fifo28]

I recently started using the Shaptons. Before this I never used waterstones. I have also used oil stones (good oil stones). I have never used norton. All I can say is the Shaptons are incredible! 5-8 passes on the Shapton 8000 stone and the edge in incredibly sharp! That's it 5-8 passes, about 20 seconds! My black arky took alot longer and I can't really tell the difference in sharpness.

The Shaptons are ceramic. You don't keep them in water. Wet them during use. Flatten them after use. The stones do dish quickly but it is not too bad and flattening is fast. I flattened 3 stones in about 5 minutes. They are expensive but very very fast.

[Sawduster]

My finest stone is a 4000 grit King waterstone. I generally spend a few seconds on a buffing wheel after that, and it works for me.

Everything I've heard endorses the Shaptons over the Nortons if the price difference is not a big issue.