Anyone have experience with cheap water stones?

[Highbinder]

I'd like to pick up a higher grit stone to complement my 250/1000 grit stones.

I've seen on eBay several for very cheap, with one seller doing 2000/5000 and 3000/8000 combination stones for twelve quid each (listing title: [FONT=&quot]Grit Knife Sharpening Sharpeners Water Stone Dual Whetstone [/FONT]).

Will I regret the purchase?

 

[Leshy]

For that price I'd take a punt on the 2000/5000 and see how it performs...
If still in one piece after drying and storing then I'd get the higher one too...

 

[dasy2k1]

I have the 2000/5000 and its a decent Stone for what I use it for without doubt, very thirsty so you do have to properly soak it before use but it certainly gets a decent edge

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Highbinder]

Nice one, well, I guess I'll pull the trigger on the 3000/8000 as I'm choking to level up my sharpening skills to mirror polish pro

 

[Robson Valley]

Do you ever consider using fine automotive finishing sandpapers?
3M makes up to 2,500grit (0.5 micron average). Use it wet or dry.
They don't break when dropped on the floor! For me, $1.60 per 9" x 11" sheet.
1/2 long sheet, stuck to a flat surface with adhesive tape at each end.
No maitenance and always flat.

Strops are grocery product box card box strips charged with CrOx/AlOx (some form of "green stick".)
No maintenance and as fresh as often as needs be.

 

[Leshy]

Good shout Robson Valley!

+1 for the wet&dry sandpaper.

At home , and when trueing tools , I use these with a little water on a lapping plate (thick flat glass plate).
The water sticks the paper to the glass like glue...
Works a treat for a fraction of the price.

For the work van, I've glued #240, #600, #800,#1200,# 2400 and #6000 grit sheets on some 25mm thick MDF rectangular offcuts (about 8"x4" ).

They work a treat with just a bit of spit or water, no need for expensive stones.
When it wears off, replacement is less than £1.
All my chisels and planes are razor sharp.
I did have DMT diamond stones for work , but they're at home now, as they get knocked around in the van, damaged or stolen on site by thieving b∆#*×rds ...

I do also have 2 combi Japanese Whetstones for my nice tools and bush knives .
They are a pleasure to use ...

 

[Robson Valley]

I began with rather good 1K and 4k waterstones. Leather strop with CrOx/AlOx.
It's all very nice and the results are excellent (freehand, no jigs but me).

I thought the sandpaper & cardboard technique was one crazy-bottom, lunatic concept.
Until I realized that I would never be able to sharpen adzes and PacNW style crooked knives without it.

By the sheet, Lee Valley wants $1.90 CDN for the 3M papers. $1.60 each if I buy 10+.
Then they have periods of Free Shipping, like right now.

If an edge is really banged up, 600 then 800.
Most of the time, a few wipes on 800 is good to start.
Then 1000 then 1500 then hone on the cardboard strop.
I know there's 2000 and 2500 available, I'd buy them and use them but I don't need to at all.

 

[Corso]

Good shout Robson Valley!

+1 for the wet&dry sandpaper.

At home , and when trueing tools , I use these with a little water on a lapping plate (thick flat glass plate).
The water sticks the paper to the glass like glue...
Works a treat for a fraction of the price.

For the work van, I've glued #240, #600, #800,#1200,# 2400 and #6000 grit sheets on some 25mm thick MDF rectangular offcuts (about 8"x4" ).

They work a treat with just a bit of spit or water, no need for expensive stones.
When it wears off, replacement is less than £1.
All my chisels and planes are razor sharp.
I did have DMT diamond stones for work , but they're at home now, as they get knocked around in the van, damaged or stolen on site by thieving b∆#*×rds ...

I do also have 2 combi Japanese Whetstones for my nice tools and bush knives .
They are a pleasure to use ...

any links to uk suppliers all I can get is #600 locally

 

[Jared]

Get higher grit sheets at auto body repair supplies.

 

[ANDGRIN]

Axminster tools stocks a wide range of Hermes wet and dry abrasive paper.
I am still using a stock I purchase 5 or so years ago. No connection to company just a satisfied customer.
Cheers Andy

 

[rickwhite]

Halfords do a range of grits, certainly as far down as 2000, in packs of 5 sheets i think. B&Q have higher grit wet & dry, down to maybe 600 or 800 only
Works for me just fine, either glass plate or mdf board and a strop with autosol has achieved a mirror finish on my knives and chisels

 

[BushDaddy]

I got a 3000 10000 stone from ebay, was about £7 for a pretty small stone, however, if I use that and finish with autosol equivalent on leather, I pass the paper test every time

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Leshy]

any links to uk suppliers all I can get is #600 locally

I got my pack from Axminster power tools .
If you look on Amazon you'l find a good selection too, but automotive care shops stock the same ... Choose the ones from 3M , good quality and plastic backed making it more durable
...

 

[brancho]

Get higher grit sheets at auto body repair supplies.

Halfords or a local motor factors

 

[bopdude]

Halfords do a multi pack containing 240, 400, 800, 1200 grit papers three or four sheets can't remembe £6, also pack of 2500 grit £3 can't go wrong, I've just started sharpening with them and get a razor finish that passes the paper test with ease.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Tonyuk]

I bought some cheap mounted stones from e-bay not too long ago. After about 3 ish uses one cracked and the other fell off its mounting. But they were cheap.

Tonyuk

 

[Corso]

Halfords do a multi pack containing 240, 400, 800, 1200 grit papers three or four sheets can't remembe £6, also pack of 2500 grit £3 can't go wrong, I've just started sharpening with them and get a razor finish that passes the paper test with ease.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

perfect I'll have to head to my local at the weekend

 

[Klenchblaize]

I purchased one of these last year for £12 but they've now hit £19:

https://www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-whetstone-professional

K

 

[NoName]

I think one should go for King, established name and the price is very decent!