Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 11, 2008 11:04pm | #1

   The individual stones cost roughly twice as much as the corresponding combo stones, but they're also twice as thick, so that makes sense. For someone who doesn't do much sharpening, the combo stones are the economical choice, but if you do enough sharpening that you actually wear out the stones within your lifetime, then the individual stones may be more economical, since the different stones don't all wear out at the same rate.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   yurij | Mar 11, 2008 11:12pm | #2

   Yes, that is why the inidvidual stones cost 2x as much, they are 2x the stone. But do these things really wear out so fast that this is a consideration? I thought there might be an ease of use issue, or actual functionality. For instance, for people with the single grit stone, to they use both sides of the stone, or only one side? And is that because the other side gets "damaged" from sitting on the table top, etc...  if it does get "damaged",  that would argue that the combo stones would have a problem from damage in this way. -yurij

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 11, 2008 11:21pm | #3

   Yes, waterstones do wear out. The 4000 half of my 4000/8000 stone is currently about 5/16" thick (down from the original 1/2"). I don't recall how long I've had it--five years, maybe? And I hardly get any time in the shop at all.

   You generally don't want to set a stone down on a table anyway, as it will slide around. I use the sort of non-skid pad that they sell for shelf and drawer liners, which has enough cushion in it that the bottom sides of the stone are relatively unharmed. You can buy all sorts of waterstone holders, too, of course.

   If you're reasonably careful about rinsing off the stones before use, contamination with coarser grits shouldn't be an issue.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   nboucher | Mar 11, 2008 11:35pm | #4

   If you're really committed to waterstones as your sharpening method, I think the single-grit stones are worth the investment for their longevity and for having to worry less about contaminating some of the finer stones with coarse grit. Having said that, I think the higher grit combination stones will probably last a really long time. I have a 1,000/8,000 Norton combination stone, and over a relatively short period, the 1,000 grit side has become considerably thinner than the 8,000 side from flattening the backs of chisels and plane irons. Particularly if you do much of that kind of thing, I think it's worth getting a 1,000 stone.

   Norman

1. 
   yurij | Mar 11, 2008 11:43pm | #5

   Hmmm, so its really a question wear, and not so much contamination or damage. So something like a 1000 stone and a 4000/8000 stone would be a good split since most of the stone removal occurs at the 1000 grit, and just fine honing at the higher levels.

1. 
   nboucher | Mar 12, 2008 12:09am | #6

   That combination of stones should be fine and should last you a good long while.

3. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 12, 2008 06:58am | #7

   I bought the Norton 4000x / 8000x combination stone mainly to see if I liked the cutting action.  It also takes up half the space if you intend to put it in a tool chest.

   I'm sold on Norton stones though I use a DMT diamond stone for flattening and ceramics for carving tools, knives, and cabinet scrapers.

   Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

   
   

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   Edited 3/12/2008 12:00 am by flairwoodworks

4. 
   b52 | Mar 12, 2008 10:33pm | #8

   No one has mentioned this combination:  the 220/1000 and the 4000/8000.  I think that covers the gamut in 2 inexpensive stones.

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 12, 2008 10:49pm | #9

   I think that's what the original poster meant. He said 220/1000 and 4000/1000, but that last was surely a typo.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   b52 | Mar 12, 2008 11:29pm | #10

   I don't know; you can buy a 1000/4000.

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 12, 2008 11:46pm | #11

   I know, but read the whole sentence. He specifically mentions the four grits before talking about the combo stones.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   b52 | Mar 13, 2008 04:50am | #12

   Oh.  Gotcha.

    

2. 
   yurij | Mar 13, 2008 06:10pm | #13

   yes, it was a typo. 1000/8000 i what i meant. funny how you can re-read something several times and still see what you want to see. measure twice? more like measure 4x and still make a mistake.

3. 
   saschafer | Mar 13, 2008 08:32pm | #14

   Actually, I believe you meant 4000/8000. ;-)

   -Steve

    

4. 
   yurij | Mar 13, 2008 08:36pm | #15

   ha-ha, i guess its measure 6x. 4k/8k yep

5. 
   mudman | Mar 13, 2008 10:09pm | #16

   You can also use the stones to flatten each other.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.