Waterstones where to buy & best type?

Hey Bloonose,

Woodcraft sells Norton and other water stones.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=4486

I am nowhere near Chicago but looking at their web site it would appear that there are several stores in the Chicago area.

HTH

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

The price for the same stone is $80 at that store, I wont be able to do any shopping hence the post to hotel request.

Thanks for the quick reply Scott, seems the price of $55 is really good, just want to know about how good they are? Anyone used the Spyderco UF ceramic stones?

Several months ago I purchased a set at Rockler. It had a 220/1000, 4000/8000, and a flattening stone. I paid under $100 for the set on sale. $It’s 119.99 normally. I highly recommend this along with the Veritas MKII jig. I can now shave with my chisels and plane irons.

-- NorthWoodsMan

Bought the veritas jig when I bought my 1st set of chisels, used it a few times and since learning to sharpen freehand it stayed in its box, ebay calls methinks! I have little left hair on my arms after the waterstones have been used…...

I’ve got a 1200/8000 and a 800/4000 stone. Japanese waterstones – King brand I think. Love ‘em!

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

I dont know what good a chisel is without a water stone!

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso

I have the Spyderco ceramic stones and they work great for me. I haven’t had any problems with my set but I heard that you have to be careful with them because they are brittle but extremely hard.
They are very easy to use. Just rinse with water for cleanup.
The DMT Diamond Stones are also good. I have those as well.

I have a Norton stone and several of the KING stones.

The major difference is the Norton stones are bigger. Waterstones
are very consistent.

I will tell you this… you don’t need an 8000 stone. a 6000 works
just fine and will get your steel scary sharp with good technique.

Think I’ll buy the Norton I mentioned, I use a combination of Diamond plates for the rough stuff and Waterstones for the final hone at the moment, but the 6000 I have just does not get them perfect, even after a little strop on leather. I found that I was always happy when using an 8000 before hence the purchase. My 1000/6000 combi has a crack at one end.

Thanks for all the advice…..

Have a look here too. Lee Valley has a long history in the metals and sharpening business.

They are also very accomodating.

If your are staying in Chicago , my sincere condolences. <g>

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Are ya keeping your waterstones flat? That was my discovery, and it don’t take much concave surface to mess up a honing. “If it ain’t flat, it ain’t right”

-- I ain't lost. People are always tellin me where to go.........

Bob, what’s up with the windy city, thought it was “mighty pretty”, so say’s Doris!!!!! LOL

Flattening you waterstones on a sheet of thick glass with Sandpaper glued to it is the best way I think? Cliff….

LV have proved expensive for postage, have bought some of the Veritas planes and can recommend them big time. The blades are flat when they come and only need a slight fettle, unlike the LN’s I’ve found.