Chosera specifically: 5k, and 8k snow white

[Southbound]

I want to buy the Chosera 5k and 8k snow white. Some folks have trouble with cracks and others don't. I have owned the Chosera 2k for years and no issues. I read that the lower grits aren't prone to craze, but the higher grit Chosera's are. I believe a lot might have to do with the type of climate some people leave in. I live in East Tennessee. Any thoughts?

[Tathra11]

I have both stones. After honing I wipe the stones dry and store them out on the bench on their edge for a day or two to completely dry before storing away. But both stones still developed a very fine crazing. Really annoyed me at first. But I don't feel the crazing when honing and I can't see any damage to the edge under a 10x Belomo. These days I tend to progress from the 5k to a Jnat so the 8k isn't used so much.

[Southbound]

I read that if one backs the stone with something stable like glass, and seals the sides with 2 part epoxy it will remedy the cracks period especially on a new virgin stone if you do this it will not crack at all. But i don't know how true that is . Anyways i have had the Chosera 2k for years and it hasn't cracked yet thank God.

[RezDog]

I have those hones, I have used them for years, I have no issues. Also I don’t “soak” my hones. I do put them in the sink for a short period before I use them, which is technically soaking them, but I don’t leave them in water for more than literally a minute or two, and I put them on their side to dry right after they are used and cleaned.

[stoneandstrop]

I read that if one backs the stone with something stable like glass, and seals the sides with 2 part epoxy it will remedy the cracks period especially on a new virgin stone if you do this it will not crack at all. But i don't know how true that is . Anyways i have had the Chosera 2k for years and it hasn't cracked yet thank God.

If any cracks are going to bother you then get the Fuji 8k, results will be similar without the cracks.
I have stayed away from Chosera's for that reason.
Most will say the cracks are not an issue for honing but everyone still complains about them so they are bothersome.

[gssixgun]

Chosera vs Professional

The older Chosera hone especially the 5k were prone to "Crazing" the newer Pro series are the improved binder and are way less prone to it

I started with all Chosera 1-5-10

I wore out the 1k long ago and I brought the new Pro pretty much the same hone only better binder
Wore out the 5k which was crazing and failing got the newer Pro and so far after 3-4 years no issues
I still have my original 10k no issues

I am VERY hard on these hones, I soak them I slurry them I use them simply as tools

They all last well into the 7500 razors honed, my 10K probably has near 20,000 razors honed and is at 22mm today as I type
back then they started at 25mm

The current 1k Pro is at 15mm started at 20mm and is almost 4 years old so about 7-8k razors Yeah the new binder is better