If you understand the history, you better understand the naming conundrum that Clay went through.
For a few years there was nothing finer than the superfine ceramics, other than strops and much later the waterstones.

When Clay got the micron rated ceramics (from a different vendor, as he was struggling with the maker of the superfines) they were equivalent to a finer grit... Now what do you do? Change the naming of a line that has been in existence for a good while, and you hope to get back at some point (?) or figure out a new name for the finer stones??

Clay asked for suggestions, and many were made. He chose microfine. It is what it is, I think. The description of the stones is clear on the web page.

Then we have the question of how you assign a name that will be interpreted the same by everyone..
Good luck with that!


Hmmmm.
I say, read the description, search the forums, and make a decision.
All of the second guessing is pretty moot at this point.
Just my thoughts...
Phil

For what it's worth, I do like it and I am happy I chose to get it.

I am still on the fence.

I will get a PP or PPII. If I get the PP then I will also get the arms upgrade. I don't really care about what base comes with it. I will be getting various strops and pastes, so the difference there doesn't matter either.

The main hanging point is to get either super fine + micro ceramics or 2-3 sets of Chosera's. I know the Chosera's are slightly more expensive but this is not an deciding factor. But I do not want to buy both ceramics and choseras.

Most of my sharpening is Benchmade folders, s30v, CPM-M4, and 154 cm. I want to achieve polished edges to the nake eye on knives that are mostly users. I am leaning towards the chosera's based on positive comments about feel and feedback as well as how they polish.

If I can slice/push cut phone book paper like a ninja I am happy. I would like to whittle hair one day, but I don't see taking every edge to that level.

If anyone has both please give you opinion. Or if you only have one I would like your opinion too.

Did you happen to read this thread?
www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=c...d=6097&Itemid=63

If so you got my take on it. I recenly ordered the superfine and microfine stones to play with. I have not recieved them as of yet, so I can't make a direct comparison. I can tell you that from my perspective as of now, I would not be without my Choseras... period. If you can swing it, get the 800/1000, 2000/3000 and 5K/10K stones to use after the 1000 diamonds. If you really want to spend some cash and as you said the cost is not important to you, get the 400/600 stones as well. They make quick work of the diamond scratches and set up a great transition to the 800 or 1000 stones.
Check the links that I posted to Tom's blog. He explains it all much better than I could...or have the time to do here.

Phil

BTW. If you wait a couple of weeks for me to get the WEPS ceramics and do some sharpening with them... I will have some direct comparison impressions. You will notice that Scott asked this question...then I asked for anyone out there with the waterstones to chime in. We got two replies.

Phil,

Thanks for the reply and link back. This helps. i think I will go with choseras. The incremental cost is not too much.

I will once again jump in with yet another opinion (as if you didn't think I would).

This afternoon I started sharpening my favorite knife. A Grayman, Satu which is S30v steel. This knife comes with a very unsophisticated edge at about 22 degrees. I reprofiled it to 18 degrees with my 50- 80 grit stones which really grind the steel and leave a very, very rough scratchy surface, like a rasp file. So this was a real test. Long story short, I worked through the normal progression of stones 100> 200>400>600>800>1000. I used about 3x's as many strokes as before and almost feather touch pressure. I began to see the scratches from each previous stone smoothing out more than ever before, but the 1000 still left a mostly non glossy finish although the scratch pattern was quite fine. The next stone I used was the 1200 super ceramic. I used it dry and again nearly feather touch pressure and many, many more strokes than before. Something new happened this time. Compared to each of the two previous knives I sharpened using the super fine and all the other stones in the normal progression, this time, a very glossy, reflective mirror surface began to emerge with the 1200. It was more glossy than I got after using my micro fine and several pastes and leathers, including my kangaroo with no added grit. I was more than shocked at how nice my Satu was looking. I went to the 1600 and it became even glossier. Beyond anything I have gotten to date even with all my best polishing stuff.

Up to now, I would have been totally happy if this were the final result and I like a mirror finish as you know from all my posts. I am now prepared to say unequivocally and without reservation, that the super fine, 1200-1600 is a great stone set and will easily get you to as shiny, glossy and reflective a finish when used in the total progression to leather and pastes as the limits of your metal will allow. I had to end at the 1600 stone because my wife gave me an ultimatum and I had to go.i still need to move to the micro and beyond, and must say I am enthusiastic and can't wait to see the final result. I'll try to take a picture for you, but take my word for now. It is coming along great.

So I will not (and would not) tell anyone what to buy or use, but I was going to buy the Chosera's because I did not think the super fine was as good as the Chosera's. But I am a convert and now know from my own experience that this is a very capable stone set which is for me indispensable.

I am done buying stones for now. I think I have arrived at where I wanted to be when I first began.

Scott Sherman wrote:



Glad you are happy, really! I like reading your posts. It sounds like you are moving towards getting the results that make you pleased with your efforts.

I would never argue with your vast experience, but I can share mine...

As long as there is a different way, and maybe a better way (faster, finer, shinier) never say you are done...
Those are like famous last words before disappearing down the rabbit hole... Believe me.
I would also be cautious about making unequivocal recommendations based upon one sharpening session with one knife...with nothing to compare to.

Don't mean to dampen your enthusiasm... really ! Just trying to be objective.

Phil

PhilipPasteur wrote: