Derek Cohen
07-01-2023, 12:01 PM
(Julie Driscoll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGjS9nJ2Y80&ab_channel=StavrosZanos )
Rather than add this here-and-there to existing threads, I shall offer up this information in a new thread.
These are the waterstones I have and use. Starting with my sharpening bench...
https://i.postimg.cc/1m5M700P/Sharpening-bench.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Almost all the stones are epoxied to either glass or perspex for extra stiffness and protection against breakage.
I have essentially three "sets" of stones.
The one used almost all of the time comprises a Sigma Power Ceramic 13000, Sigma Power Ceramic 6000, and Shapton Pro 1000.
https://i.postimg.cc/cdyhGG7F/Stones-Favourite.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
I believe that these are still being sold. Here are the boxes for the Sigmas I have: 1200/13000 combination (a gift from Stu Tierney, and only the 13K has been used), 6000 and 10000.
https://i.postimg.cc/xYZggzXD/Sigma-boxes.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The second set I have comprise the Shapton Pro 1000/5000/8000/12000. Only the 1000 is used regularly, and I pulled out the 12000 today for the first time in years.
The Shapton Pros were the first “expensive” stones I owned, and I must have purchased them about 20 or so years ago. I loved the 1000, and as seen it remains my preferred 1000 stone (it cuts faster than the Sigma 1200, but this is not apples vs apples). I hated the 5000. It would glaze over quickly and stop cutting. All the Shapton Pros, except the 1000, will create a great deal of stiction, and they must be used with soapy water to prevent this. The 8000 is a good stone, and the only reason I stopped using it was being gifted the 12000 (also known as the 15000 - same stone). Lastly, all my Pros wound up being epoxied to glass as they moved (cupped) after they dried. The addition of glass stopped this happening.
Here is the Shapton 12000 alongside the Sigma 13000 ...
https://i.postimg.cc/CY5mjNLs/Sigma-13-K-Shapton-Pro12-K.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The Sigma is almost used up - it was only a "half" stone to start with. I will definitely get another. The 13000 has been a wonderful polisher to use. It offers good feedback, works quickly, and leaves a great edge. The Shapton Pro 12000 feels very different. It is harder, slicker, and offers less feedback. Still, it will create an excellent edge, comparable to the Sigma (I was honing PM-V11 chisels today as I worked on a set of Jarrah table legs).
Below are three stones: Sigma Power Ceramic 10000, Chinese Guanxi natural waterstone, and the Shapton Pro 1000
https://i.postimg.cc/ZJ8cTsV4/Sigma10-K-Guanxi-10-K-Shapton-Pro-1-K.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The Sigma 10000 is a good stone, but does not get used much since I have the 13000. As I mentioned, Stu gifted me the 13K about 15 years or so ago, after I purchased the 10K, which was before the 13K was available. The Guanxi is an interesting beast - very hard, and it reminds me in so many ways of the Shapton Pro 12000. It also leaves a very fine polish.
The third "set" is principally used when away from the workshop, where I have water and a sink. This is waterless system for demonstrations at clubs and wood shows. The system comprises a worn Eze-lap 600 diamond stone, and Spyderco Medium and Extra-Fine ceramic stones.
https://i.postimg.cc/xnb5Z1mk/Spyderco-Medium-Extra-Fine.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
I recall Stu mentioning that the Sigma Power ceramic stones were essentially the same as the Spyderco stones, but the Sigma are more porous, friable and cut faster.
Spyderco do not advertise their grits. I estimate that the Medium is around 5000, and the Extra-Fine around 10000. These stones can be used without water, but I never recommend any media used without something to carry away swarf. Stones tend to load up otherwise. I suggest a spritz of soapy water. Not much is needed for the Spydercos. The main downside of these stones is that they do need to be flattened when new. You will need an extra coarse diamond stone for this. The HUGE pro is that once flat they do not need to be flattened, possibly ever again! I ran a diamond stone over these two today for the first time in a couple of years, and all it did was clean them. Flat, flat. The other downside is that they are only available in 2"x8". However this is not an issue if you predominantly freehand sharpen, as I do.
I have two diamond stones for maintaining these waterstones: a rather well-used and close-to expiring Shapton 275 grit, and an Atoma 140 grit.
I do have a bunch of diamond stones, but they are not used for planes or chisels.
Lastly ... I revamped the waterstone board today. The board is a melamine-covered chipboard, well-sealed. The waterstones are held within a "L-shaped" section from a nylon cutting board, and secured by a section of UHMW which can be clamped down ...
https://i.postimg.cc/547ghHpz/Board1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/qrj1hY07/Board2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Hope this helps some of you.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Rather than add this here-and-there to existing threads, I shall offer up this information in a new thread.
These are the waterstones I have and use. Starting with my sharpening bench...
https://i.postimg.cc/1m5M700P/Sharpening-bench.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Almost all the stones are epoxied to either glass or perspex for extra stiffness and protection against breakage.
I have essentially three "sets" of stones.
The one used almost all of the time comprises a Sigma Power Ceramic 13000, Sigma Power Ceramic 6000, and Shapton Pro 1000.
https://i.postimg.cc/cdyhGG7F/Stones-Favourite.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
I believe that these are still being sold. Here are the boxes for the Sigmas I have: 1200/13000 combination (a gift from Stu Tierney, and only the 13K has been used), 6000 and 10000.
https://i.postimg.cc/xYZggzXD/Sigma-boxes.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The second set I have comprise the Shapton Pro 1000/5000/8000/12000. Only the 1000 is used regularly, and I pulled out the 12000 today for the first time in years.
The Shapton Pros were the first “expensive” stones I owned, and I must have purchased them about 20 or so years ago. I loved the 1000, and as seen it remains my preferred 1000 stone (it cuts faster than the Sigma 1200, but this is not apples vs apples). I hated the 5000. It would glaze over quickly and stop cutting. All the Shapton Pros, except the 1000, will create a great deal of stiction, and they must be used with soapy water to prevent this. The 8000 is a good stone, and the only reason I stopped using it was being gifted the 12000 (also known as the 15000 - same stone). Lastly, all my Pros wound up being epoxied to glass as they moved (cupped) after they dried. The addition of glass stopped this happening.
Here is the Shapton 12000 alongside the Sigma 13000 ...
https://i.postimg.cc/CY5mjNLs/Sigma-13-K-Shapton-Pro12-K.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The Sigma is almost used up - it was only a "half" stone to start with. I will definitely get another. The 13000 has been a wonderful polisher to use. It offers good feedback, works quickly, and leaves a great edge. The Shapton Pro 12000 feels very different. It is harder, slicker, and offers less feedback. Still, it will create an excellent edge, comparable to the Sigma (I was honing PM-V11 chisels today as I worked on a set of Jarrah table legs).
Below are three stones: Sigma Power Ceramic 10000, Chinese Guanxi natural waterstone, and the Shapton Pro 1000
https://i.postimg.cc/ZJ8cTsV4/Sigma10-K-Guanxi-10-K-Shapton-Pro-1-K.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The Sigma 10000 is a good stone, but does not get used much since I have the 13000. As I mentioned, Stu gifted me the 13K about 15 years or so ago, after I purchased the 10K, which was before the 13K was available. The Guanxi is an interesting beast - very hard, and it reminds me in so many ways of the Shapton Pro 12000. It also leaves a very fine polish.
The third "set" is principally used when away from the workshop, where I have water and a sink. This is waterless system for demonstrations at clubs and wood shows. The system comprises a worn Eze-lap 600 diamond stone, and Spyderco Medium and Extra-Fine ceramic stones.
https://i.postimg.cc/xnb5Z1mk/Spyderco-Medium-Extra-Fine.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
I recall Stu mentioning that the Sigma Power ceramic stones were essentially the same as the Spyderco stones, but the Sigma are more porous, friable and cut faster.
Spyderco do not advertise their grits. I estimate that the Medium is around 5000, and the Extra-Fine around 10000. These stones can be used without water, but I never recommend any media used without something to carry away swarf. Stones tend to load up otherwise. I suggest a spritz of soapy water. Not much is needed for the Spydercos. The main downside of these stones is that they do need to be flattened when new. You will need an extra coarse diamond stone for this. The HUGE pro is that once flat they do not need to be flattened, possibly ever again! I ran a diamond stone over these two today for the first time in a couple of years, and all it did was clean them. Flat, flat. The other downside is that they are only available in 2"x8". However this is not an issue if you predominantly freehand sharpen, as I do.
I have two diamond stones for maintaining these waterstones: a rather well-used and close-to expiring Shapton 275 grit, and an Atoma 140 grit.
I do have a bunch of diamond stones, but they are not used for planes or chisels.
Lastly ... I revamped the waterstone board today. The board is a melamine-covered chipboard, well-sealed. The waterstones are held within a "L-shaped" section from a nylon cutting board, and secured by a section of UHMW which can be clamped down ...
https://i.postimg.cc/547ghHpz/Board1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/qrj1hY07/Board2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Hope this helps some of you.
Regards from Perth
Derek