I am a little lost, what do you accomplish by reversing the paddle arms?

Lucky

If you reverse the paddle arms, the screws in the clamps no longer drop into the little indexing dents in the crossbar. That lets you set the angle in a fully-adjustable way, to get that last tenth-degree just right. Doesn't matter so much with the diamond plates since they're all the same thickness (more or less) but when you start using non-standard paddles (like the waterstones) you need to be able to make that adjustment to keep the angle identical.

Dang, and talk about fast work by USPS! Ken got the stones headed my way this past Saturday afternoon, and they showed up in last evening's mail already, I'm impressed!

I'll be giving them a first try this evening after work!

What do you guys think is the best 2 stone combo for coming off the ceramics? Or is it best to come off the 1k diamonds?

Well, after quite a bit of discussion with Ken and Tom, I decided on a 1K/2K pairing for coming straight off of the 1K diamonds. The 1K Shapton is the same grit size but cuts finer due to it's abrasive agent, which replaces and smooths out the scratch pattern from the diamonds then the 2K refines that pattern.

So do you no longer feel the ceramics are necessary since you have the Shaptons?

Correct, at least with this particular progression. With the ceramics, you might be able to start off at a higher grit, say run a 2k/5k pairing and end up with a finer finish. I've never used the WEPS ceramics, so I really couldn't make any substantive suggestions that way, honestly. I just chose my pair to start off of where my ProPack left off.

Every sharpening question is easily answered "It Depends"

And it really does - I personally feel that if you are going to stop at the 1600 WEPS ceramic level, you do not need Shaptons or Choseras.

I also feel that if you get the 5K Shapton, then you really should get the 1500 or 2K Shapton to proceed it, which tends to replace the ceramics. (don't forget I'm spoiled since I pretty much have everything to choose from)

But what really influences the decision for me is that I know I am going to go to 5K or above, and it makes more sense to me to stay within a single system after the WEPS diamonds. Yes, you can mix and match with success, but I find the the synergy of using a singly designed system like the Choseras or Shaptons really makes getting to the final goal much easier - especially when going to the 10 Chosera or 30K Shapton. (I'm also a perfectionist)

On a more advanced note, you have different edges from different stones - the Shaptons produce a certain edge at a given grit which is going to be different than the Choseras, and different still form the WEPS ceramics. There is no universal winner in this equation, either - all three have their places in a specific progression for a specific occasion.

Had a chance to try out the Shaptons over the weekend! I was at an activity for our church's kids program, taking family portrait shots for the people that showed up, and one of the ladies there was trying to slice up chilled caramel apples with a really, REALLY dead 6" or so inexpensive kitchen knife. Had the WEPS in my truck (because I'm crazy like that and usually have SOME sharpening gear with me, although it'd usually be the Kalamazoo there) so I grabbed it and put an edge on the blade. Three of the other guys that were there are now very interested as well, and the edge came off the Shaptons and strops in great shape. I'm looking forward to having the cash for the 5k/8k pair as well. So far I'm very impressed. They cut smoothly, leave a beautifully consistent scratch pattern, and the feel is great!

Dumb question, though, is anyone else getting kind of a binding, "sticking at the corners" feeling from the pivots? It's almost like the little universals are twisting against each other and not turning smoothly. Think I might need to add a dab of high-pressure grease to the joints.

The Shaptons sound nice. But I don't see them on the WEPS website. How much are they and how are they paired up on the paddles? Or can you order the grits that you want on each side of the paddle?