Japanese Sharpening Stone recommendations?

[burntrice]

I've recently spent some cash on a good set of VG10 Damascus kitchen knives and would love to learn how to keep then sharp with whetstones. I use a sharpmaker for my pocket knives and have also ordered a nifty looking minosharp plus 3.

In all honestly, its about time I learnt to do this properly. I have the passion and patience but just need a decent bit of kit. I'm after hair shaving scary sharp, could some of you in the know recommend good makes / suppliers and which grits I should be looking for.

Cheers
Ady

[Ian Atkinson]

I think the 'ice bear' ones that you can get from woodlore/axminsters come recommended, I don't have any but I've nearly bought some a few times in the past and read up on it! I should get on with it really and have a go with them...

[JungleBert]

You can get very very good results with your sharpmaker, but if you want stones, I think Chosera are hard to beat.

[Greenbeast]

Depends on budget. Chosera are great but £50 a pop. I've got the 1k and will buy more in future when cash permits

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[TB_London]

If the knives are in good condition a 1k and 5 or 6k would be a good progression. You can follow with a strop to clean the edge, but avoid over stropping to keep some bite to the edge.
In terms of makes i'm a big advocate of Chosera stones, as they have good feedback, cut quickly, dish slowly, and give an even scratch pattern. They are expensive though, and if you are only going to use them occasionally may not be worth it.

A king 1k 6k combo stone is readily available and is a serviceable stone. It's what I started out with, and if I still had it I'd send it to you to have a go on. If you get a king stone I'd recommend getting something to flatten the stone too, could be as simple as some 60 grit wet and dry taped to something flat.

With stones it's at least 95% technique so I wouldn't worry too much about the stones. Better stones just make it more enjoyable but until you get some practice and learn how to use them they'll all be much of a muchness in terms of results.

I'd reall recommend Jon's videos here:
http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/media
to give you a grounding in the basics.

[woodcutter]

Shapton glasstones for me take some beating, harder than most waterstones but cut fast, they are pricey but the product justifys the expense. But also TB Londons remark is very true, technique is key to success.

[TB_London]

Shapton GS series have a marmite like quality, I don't like any of the ones I've tried, but some people love them. The feedback is a bit strange, almost plasticcy at the higher grits.