PhilipPasteur wrote:


What do you mean, what do I mean?

Pretty much what you described... how the stones are wearing... if some faster than others, see more wear from lapping than use, etc. Whatever anyone's impressions are (or if they're keeping notes).... it doesn't have to be specific. For example, if some are wearing faster than others, it could be an indication of which ones to get first, if you're buying one or two at a time.

I don't have the WE version. I do have the full size ones. I got them out today to do a little comparison testing, but didn't get as far as I wanted. Full size ones hold up well... so curious what's being seen on the WE. Don't have an expectation one way or the other, just curiosity, and for future reference.

I only have the 5K/10K Choseras, so it is hard to compare.

However, I have more Shapton stones. On those it seems that the higher the grit rating, the harder the stones are and the slower they wear.

cbwx34 wrote:


Chosera & SS.... Some are harder than others, for sure. I'm guessing the softer ones are wearing faster. But all of these things are so darned thick, they will all outlast me... I guess that's all I care about.

Ken

cbwx34 wrote:


I think I knew what you meant.. just being Me. However it is a bit of a difficult thing to pin down. Too many variables...
I think I will get at least 4 to 5 years out of the set. I did about 15 knives last week.. on the Weps. I have been as high as 40. If we call it an average of 30, that may not be far off. 360 knives nad minimum 80% of the stones left. That give you an idea about the longevity.

If you were to sharpen only with the Choseras, I would fully expect that the 400/600/800 to wear the fastest. The 10K seems to be a pretty soft stone. I have nicked mine and knocked a corner off of one of them, yet they seem to be holding up well other than that. The 1k and 2k get the most use for me, but still are doing fine, as the numbers I posted above indicate..

Again, I think the wear I am seeing is probably skewed a bit from what "normal" would be.. because of doing the heavy lifting with the diamonds... and a good bit of the early refinement with the ceramics.
Besides, I don't always use all of the Choseras on every knife... it gets complicated to give a real good...or definitive answer. Suffice it to say, they should last a typical sharpener a very long time.

Oh, I do not lap the stones before each use... I do rub them togehter under running water prior to each use.
I lay a straight edge on them occasionally. If I notice significant deviation from flat, I break out the DMT plates. The wear caused by using the stones on the WEPS is a lot different that the typical wear pattern on a bench stone. Mote of a broad flat depression in the middle rather than the sort of dishing focused on the middle of the stone with a bench stone used by hand... at least my hands


Mark,
Where did the Shapton thing come from...
??

PhilipPasteur wrote:


I got them from Ken Schwartz. He did a very good job. He's on the forum, so you can pm him.

Okay I think I have a good idea where to get "bragging rights" for a mirror finish? How about a "scary sharp" knife? Is that chosera or ceramics?

EamonMcGowan wrote:


Both. Even the diamonds give you very sharp edges. No worries.


Ken

EamonMcGowan wrote:


Take a look a the grit comparison chart. In general, the higher the grit, the sharper you can get the knife. This is only a general statement: it depends on the knife steel, heat treatment, your sharpening abilities, etc. And, as Phil said, grit size doesn't say it all.

Okay guys finally got my arms in and assembled the We. I have to tell you I just love the upgraded arms!! There is just no comparison? The feel, the precision, being able to keep your angle (100%)from diamonds to choseras to strops, Just a beautiful thing!!
The choseras are pretty darn cool themselves! I'm not sure if we have a official decision on what a mirror looks like? But the knife was capable of reflecting newsprint, which is good for me! Now I have to see just how sharp I can make a knife? Let the journey begin.
Oh and one more thing. I have to give a shout out to Bob Nash at Oldawans. This man is so honest and filled with integrity he is wonderful to do business with!! Helpful, knowledgeable and when he says he is going to do something it gets done. I would not even think of going someplace else!!

This is an excellent thread, gents!

I'll work backwards - The Choseras will last a while, especially if you start with the stock diamonds to do the "heavy lifting", as Curtis mentioned. Last year at BLADE, I started with diamonds and used my 800/2K combo on I don't know how many knives of varying steels, including S30V, and I did not lap them the entire time They were slightly dished, of course, and took what I would call about 3 normal lapping sessions to fix. Not much considering the workload they had endured. It's safe to say that most of the wear on my Choseras is from lapping since I usually lap after each knife, even though I sharpen each level to perfection.

As for grit comparisons, Phillip stated it very well - the Grit sizes are really the only consistent way of measuring different stones/mediums, after that it's all about how they work, and how it mixes with your technique. There have been several threads that confirm the need for a bridge from the stock diamonds to the polishing stages, especially when jumping to the pastes. The ceramics, Choseras and Shaptons basically fill that gap and then some on both ends of it.

And for the OP, some very sound advice regarding the cost and time factors, however, it really depends on your sharpening philosophy. But don't worry, you won't go wrong with any of the products the Wicked Edge offers - especially with the extremely helpful and knowledgeable people around this forum.