Thread: 3 piece waterstone set

I am considering purchasing the 3 piece waterstone set that comes in a Rockler box but the stones say King on them.

There is an 800/4000 stone (the 800 side could come in handy for knives), a 6000 stone and a Nagura (?) stone.

The price is $54.99 and I can purchase it locally which is a big plus.

Has anyone used this set or heard about any reviews as it applies to razor sharpening?

I know a lot of you guys like the Norton 4000/8000 stone. Before I spend $55 I thought I would ask.

Thanks

Amelchio,
Welcome! I just picked up a Norton Waterstones kit from Rockler in Arlington, Tx with a 200 / 1000, 4000 / 8000 and a flattening stone for $99. I think most of the guys around here at least have some experience with the Nortons (they're featured in Lynn's video) and this price seems very good. More $$$ than the King Waterstones but still a great price and the grit levels may be more useful.

I have graduated to other hones but it's a no-brainer, for this price!

You would get lots of support and advice, and you can sell it later if you don't like it

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by amelchio

I am considering purchasing the 3 piece waterstone set that comes in a Rockler box but the stones say King on them.

There is an 800/4000 stone (the 800 side could come in handy for knives), a 6000 stone and a Nagura (?) stone.

The price is $54.99 and I can purchase it locally which is a big plus.

Has anyone used this set or heard about any reviews as it applies to razor sharpening?

I know a lot of you guys like the Norton 4000/8000 stone. Before I spend $55 I thought I would ask.

Thanks

I'd spend the extra cash and get the starter set with the 4k/8k, the 220/1k, and the flattening stone. The set you mention, if I have it right, does not have anything with 8k grit, which you really want. Also, the Nagura stone, if I am not mistaken, is basically a small slurry stone, so isn't really something you use for sharpening directly.

The $99.00 Norton set is really a tremendous buy, and has just about everything you need to get started. The sale is on until the 28th, so you have a little time to think about it.

-Michael

Just for some perspective - there are people who shave off the Belgian blue, which is about 6000 or so. There are also people who shave off barber hones, which aren't very high grit either. You may or may not like the shave off 6000, but you will certainly be able to shave. How much you'd like it, and whether your skin will take it well - nobody knows, really.

I myself didn't like even the Norton 8000 too much, and prefer to use something much higher to finish... So don't think that I am an advocate of Norton 6K - but at this price, it seems like a good deal. If anything, you can add a Belgian coticule or Norton 8k later, if you are convinced 6K is not enough for you. By the way, you can try newsprint after the 6K - it MAY get you there too.

Cheers
Ivo

Thanks for the replies guys,

It sounds like it really is a 6000 vs 8000 decision providing the King is comparable to Norton in quality.

Izlat, I was wondering how you work with the newsprint. Do you wrap it around the stone?

I either lay it flat on the kitchen counter or wrap it around a hone. The hone is more of a PITA so I only do it if I am not satosfied with results from the counter.

From 6K I'd imagine woulwould need at least 200 passes on paper or even more. And once again, I am not saying that N6K is the best option; I don't like even N8K - but on a budget 6K may work for you.

Alternative approach for similar budget may be to just use sandpaper for coarse work (1K) and buy a coticule bout or small narrow stone from Howard for anything else - as LX has shown this will work too, and may give you very fine edges

Cheers
Ivo