Thread: Is there anywher I could find hones in a store?

Would a hardware store have them? If not one of the big ones like Home Despot then a smaller one like Ace? What about cooking stores that sell expensive knives like Williams-Sonoma? I just want to avoid paying shipping since they're already pretty expensive and the shipping on what is essentially a rock can't be cheap.

A high end woodworking/woodturning store would have some... Like a woodcraft, klingspor, or craftsupply. You'd be able to find DMT's, nortons, possibly Shaptons, and I've even seen naniwa's in one klingspor shop (don't know if it was special order though).

But your best bet for a store is going to be a woodturning specialty store or high end woodworking shop carrying wicked expensive gear.

Forget home depot and the big box places...

Depends on where you are. Woodcraft carries Norton, and was carrying some Shapton stuff IIRC.

If you do some searching around, you will find that there can be a range of prices for these hones. While I am completely in favor of buying locally (and avoiding Walmart) you will probably find the best deal online even including the shipping charge.

Woodcraft also carries the King waterstone line and the excellent "Chinese 12k". All reasonably priced.

Lee Valley tools carry lapping plates, and a full range of Norton's, both single and combo stones. Reasonably priced.

They also carry Diamond grit.

Maxi

amazon has great price on norton set.
If you have a woodcraft close by you can get a C12k for finisher.

I don't want to spend your money for you, but I think you would be better served by picking out the hones you want and then figure out where would be the best place to buy them. I wouldn't buy a set of hones just because I could avoid the shipping. Depending on what you buy the tax could well offset some or all of the shipping. Plus, some of the synthetics are lighter than you might expect.

Having said that, stick with the woodworking stores if you want to buy locally. They will be your best bet for suitable hones.

I don't think Williams-sonoma has any, but online it shows it has a combo knife hone that was like $250 or something and was 250/1000grit. I bought my first ones from Lee Valley. Also if there's any knife specialty stores or sword stores it might be good.

I agree with Bill S. Get the tools you really want, get good quality and look after them. Ok, it might cost a bit more in the long run but I think of it this way; If you buy hones that are almost what you want then you still dont have the hones you want, and you've spent the money on something you didnt really want.

I'm in the UK and I got my Shaptons from SRD. Ths shipping was very reasonable and the service was great and very fast, so I'd recommend them as a possible avenue if you cant find what you want locally.

Steve at The Invisible Edge sells the Naniwa line of hones, as well as BBW's and coticules, so you might check his site as well. His postage is also very reasonable and the service is first rate.