ShaptonGlass Stone Set w/Field Holder #500, #2000, #16000 Grit 5mm

I have worked as a professional carpenter for 35 years and use hand tools often. Razor sharp tools are a must and this system is the best I have ever used. No soaking necessary. Quick , easy and no mess. I highly recommend these !

This is a great set and most likely all you need. I had been using diamond stones for a while and only had limited experience with water stones. Diamond stones are great, very fast and leave an agressive edge but tend to leave a very visible scratch pattern on the edge. It's not so noticeable on higher grits but very noticeable on the coarser stones. This Shapton set includes a 500 grit stone which works very well to reprofile an edge, it just does not work as fast as a 220 or 325 diamond stone. However, it leaves a very polished edge which you can then refine to a mirror polished edge with the 2000 and 16000 grit stones in the set. I could not be happier with these stones. I also purchased a Shapton sharpening pond and the holder keeps everything very secure. Great stuff

Like these a lot. I've been trying to not let my knives get dull enough to require dropping down to the coarse stone, but it's nice to know it's there. The three stones fit into the holder for storage and, if you flip it over, one of the stones fits perfectly and it won't slip. They clean up easily and it's nice to just make sure they stay wet and not have to soak them or to have to wait for the more porous stones to dry for a day or so before putting them away.These stones seem to sharpen the edge more quickly than the wet stones I had been using previously.I use a leather strop as the final step and I honestly don't know if the finest stone (think it's 16000?) is overkill once' I've done a good job with the 2000, but I've been getting great results so I'm sticking with it.

The stones work well, and don't wear seems good. However, I found a diamond plate for flattening to get the most our of the stones. There was some grit embedded in the 16000 stone that would do a good job, but still leave scratches. Flattening with wet/dry paper worked alright, but did not solve the problem. Switching to the diamond plate seems to have solved that. I have the Trend 300/1000 combo which works very well. The Shapton flattening stone seems overpriced compared to the Trend, but I do not have it, so cannot say for sure that it is not worth it.I am using mine to sharpen plane blades, chisels, and other woodworking hand tools. I have not made it to the kitchen knives....yet.

I have a sharpening business and even though the majority of my work is on powered machinery I occasionally need very high quality flat stones I also don’t have access to a sink in my shop so these are great because you only have to spritz them with a little water. These are not cheap but the quality is far superior to the many average stones sold at discount. I like the holder that doubles as the sharpener stand

These are amazing stones. They cut fast, even the 16000 grit. Wonderful product.

This review will be in multiple installments.1/4/13 - I am not a professional but have always wanted to upgrade from the low end oil stones I'd been using for years. Nice kitchen knives and a few nice pocket knifes were the motivation. After some research I settled on this kit as the way to take my steel edges to a new level. So far I am very pleased. The 500 clears quickly whereas the 2000 and 16000 seem to load quickly no matter how much water is used. I have no intention of buying a Shapton lapping stone at close to $400 and am currently investigating alternatives. More toward the middle of the year.

Consistent, repeatable results. These stones are beautiful and will provide a lifetime of service. I got these along with the 1000/4000/8000 set in order to hone straight razors. Will do kitchen knives as well. These came beautifully boxed directly from japan. I suggest getting the Shapton diamond lapping plate but it's not necessary for initial flattening. These stones are immaculately flat from the factory. The 16000 will give a .94 micron polish and I can shave with the razor straight off the 16k without stropping.