Thread: Chosera 1k Question

Originally Posted by tinkersd

All whetstones up to 4K need a good soaking, between 5 and 20 minutes, after that just a good spray will get the job done. IMHO!
I use regularly .22K/1K and a 4K/8K and soak them both for about 15minute each before use, after all it ''couldn't hurt?!''

My 2 cents late on the night wing.


tinkersd of SRP

shapton glass stones, naniwa super stones do not need soaking for example.
It all depends on how the stone is constructed to work.

The Chef's Knives To Go website, where I got mine, says;
"Chosera stones should be soaked in water for 15-20 minutes before use."

I talked to Mark, the owner, on the phone about this. He was putting in a big order and specifically asked the Naniwa rep for confirmation. This is the reply , in reference to that question, that he got :

"And regarding to CHOSERA, you are right that I think it is better for soaking it in water to have more efficiency. (Care point for Chosera is rather preservation manner that long soaking (a week, or continue to soak by next sharpening) is worst manner to be caused for cracks."

So I assume that 15 or 20 minutes is preferred but a week or more is not.

I am just happy that I have a stone that Glen doesn't have yet! I'm one of the cool kids!!!!!!!!

I'll try it both ways and see how it works for me, at least I am now confident that soaking for a short period of time won't hurt it. Darn things ain't cheap!

Originally Posted by tinkersd

All whetstones up to 4K need a good soaking, between 5 and 20 minutes, after that just a good spray will get the job done. IMHO!
I use regularly .22K/1K and a 4K/8K and soak them both for about 15minute each before use, after all it ''couldn't hurt?!''

My 2 cents late on the night wing.


tinkersd of SRP

Ah, see, that's where you're wrong. It most certainly could hurt--it could dissolve your stone, warp it into unusability, or eventually cause it to split into pieces. It all depends on what stone you're using--and if you think all makers are the same, again, I fear you're mistaken.

We're not talking about opinions, here, we're talking about materials, and their actual physical qualities.

Originally Posted by JimR

Ah, see, that's where you're wrong. It most certainly could hurt--it could dissolve your stone, warp it into unusability, or eventually cause it to split into pieces. It all depends on what stone you're using--and if you think all makers are the same, again, I fear you're mistaken.

We're not talking about opinions, here, we're talking about materials, and their actual physical qualities.

That's very true Jim and a valuable point to make.

On some of the knife forums I subscribe to - and one in particular - come stories of the chosera going soft and crumbly, bits 'blistering' and falling of, one stone that split into two pieces and one that even split into five pieces!

If the makers and heavy users of these stones think that soaking makes a difference then it probably does - the question is, how much difference? If it is a mere subtlety of point then quite frankly I'm not interested as far as the low grit stones go - that includes the 1k, 3k and probably the 5k (I have not got the 5k chosera yet - I use the superstone version - I don't soak that either). In relatively coarse cutting subtle improvements are of little consequence to me.

I don't think Lynn soaks his choseras either - I think I read he gives them a heavy spray and lets it sit for 5 minutes and then sprays again and hones - much the same as my pouring a puddle of water onto the stone and letting it sit while I'm honing on a lower grit (forgive me if I'm putting words into your mouth here, Lynn - I can recall reading a posting of yours something to that effect - no doubt you will correct me if I got it wrong!).

I'm not convinced that the formulation of the stone hasn't changed, either. I have read of people saying that the 1k chosera is 'very thirsty' and one person even saying that it is 'the thirstiest' stone he ever came across. Mine couldn't be more different - the puddle of water I pour over it to evenly and liberally coat the surface sits there for quite some time. The only thing that makes sense of this to me is that the formulation has changed at some time, but who knows how many of each formulation are in stockpiles?

I think the other posters last remarks about 'soaking can't hurt' are totally wrong and even quite the opposite of the truth - 'not soaking can't hurt' would seem more appropriate as from the moment they are packaged in the factory they are dry and sit in dry place for who knows how long before bought - they survive that fairly well!

Regards,
Neil

With superstones I do the puddle of water sprayed on the top and let it sit 5 minutes. With the Chosera I've been doing the 15 minute soak. So far so good. I figure that listening to the company that makes the stones is probably my best bet. We'll see.

To soak or not to soak. This is a technical explanation I saw on the Fine Tools Germany site about Chosera soaking:

IMPORTANT NOTE on storage and lubrication: Chosera sharpening stones are bound with magnesium and so have more cutting particles per unit of surface than resin-bound stones. But magnesium-bound stones are much more sensitive to prolonged exposure to water as other types of stones. So Chosera stones should NOT be left to soak in water for prolonged periods and must be stored dry. If this advice is not followed the stones can develop hairline cracks or the binding material can be leached out of the stone. It is more than enough to pour a little water on the surface or briefly dip the stones in water, they do not need to be soaked. If you are not sure that you can keep this always in mind, perhaps because you have a number of different kinds of sharpening stones, it may be better to opt for the more tolerant Super Stones

Just got my Chosera 1K. I've been palming a little water on top and honing. Works fine.

A quick update:
I have now done about 60 razors on the Choseras.
As stated earlier in this thread, I soak them for 20 minutes before I start honing on them, and I keep them soaked all thru the honing session. which could run up to a few hours at a time.
So far, no ill effects on mine
I make sure the water is room tempered and I let them dry slowly with good cirkulation of air, and out of direct sunlight.
I'll update again if there are any changes to this

I normally just either run a little water over the stone in short intervals or spray it with water a few times until the water doesn't soak it. Usually takes just a few minutes. I have found this to be better for me than just spraying and starting to hone.

Have fun,

Lynn