Norton Knife Sharpener Whetstone - Japanese Sharpening Stone with 4000 Grit Stone and Sharpening Stone Holder

The grit is an oddball kind of grit not polishing not sharpening although the rate at which it removes material, I bet you could sharpen on it. The stone is a joy to use feels very smooth to use good steppingstone for polishing. I use it for woodworking and knife sharpening. Definitely removes more material off the metal than the stone in other words, more swarf than slurry. I used to use as a finishing stone until I got a shapton glass 8K. The 8K Norton is too expensive for me. The two work together like two peas in a pod. I use coarse DMT stones then I move up to my trend 1k stone then I use the Norton 4k stone, then Shapton 8K. And I use extra coarse DMT stone as flattening stone. The Norton 4K stone is a well balanced stone would highly recommend i’ve been using it for a year with moderate use. Haven’t even gone through half of it yet.

Very nice stone, cuts fairly quickly.However!!! don't store it in the box wet, it will grow an ugly pink mold, a different mold than the other stones. I soaked it in a diluted solution of bleach and that took care of it. It will stay damp for days. I cut the top off and store it that way. If I am using them often, they go in a tote with a lid on, keeps them from drying out.

I have three of the Norton Waterstones for my knives, and they all work great.These stones provide plenty of surface area to work with, and the case (blue hinged plastic box) works as a perfect base for setting the stone on. The case has rubber feet on the corners to keep everything from sliding all over while sharpening.I have sharpened many knives and the Norton waterstones show little wear and do a great job at getting an edge. Since I have three of these stones, two are combination stones....with two grit's on opposing sides...it makes it easy to flatten the stones by rubbing the highest grit stone against the lowest grit stone under running water.

I've used the Norton Wet Stones for years. I originally bought them for planes and chisels, and soon fount out they are also the best way to sharpen almost any knife blade. The 1000 grit stone is the most versatile of the 4 grits. No matter if your taking something old back into use, repairing the angle of highly used knife or removing scratches on a show piece. The 1000 grit is a must have. It prepares the surface for the 8000 grit to put that mirror polish and smooth nick free razor edge on what ever it is your sharpening. My first one lasted about 15 years using it several times a week, so they are well worth the money.

I got this stone with the intent of using it in a progression of stones for sharpening my straight razor. When I got it I was very surprised that that the stone was not even close to being flat. It was not a huge deal and it only took me a few minutes to lap it to a flat surface myself but if you ask me if you spend this kind of money on a stone it should come to your perfect.

There is a notable difference between 1000 and 4000 grit when it comes to edge durability. I can go at least 4x as long without sharpening.Additionally, when you need to shave, you can use your plane iron or chisel backs as a mirror!I would recommend getting a flattening plate as well. I have the Norton plate and it works just fine for me.

It hasn't work as good for me. It wears so fast.I have the 1000 and 8000 and for years now, and I bought this stone in 2014. It has worn so fast that it looks older than my other 2.I don't think it will last by the end of 2014.I do woodworking as hobby and use it for a straight razor.I don't know if I have a defective one, or this is the nature of this stone. I won't buy it again.

I work as a cook and also sharpen knives on the side as a second incom. The Norton stones are solid and would last for a long time because they don't need as much flattening. they cut slow and don't build to much slurry which is not a bad thing.