Re: Shapton vs. Chosera WEPS Stones – The Great Debate

@ Komit – Nah, I already know who the winner is 👿

@ EdHead – that’s funny, because I would prefer Coke if I still drank cola. 🙂 I also think Ferraris look better than Lamborghinis. 🙂

@ Leo – Excellent!

You brought up some very important topics.

The biggest is the initial argument of even “leaving” the diamonds and WEPS ceramics in the first place. I think you have answered that very rationally, coming from a position of more of a hunting/outdoors knife user:

The keenness of the edge is increased in the ethereal world of knife sharpeners who polish atoms!! LOL! Real life sharpness is increased but not so much that an ordinary Joe would care in day-to-day knife use. He might notice for example, that the chicken breast butterflies a little bit smoother or the caping of the elk might proceed a little more easily.
All in all I think they are a plus factor in sharpening and I would suppose that the difference would be most noted on knives used in the culinary arts where a sharp chef’s knife is an important tool.

You’ve also managed to point the single-most important reason for this thread, IMO:

-the finish on the edge was more mirror like and the scratches more uniform and symmetrical;
– the edge seemed keener to a certain degree…slicing seemed smoother;
-the stones were not as aggressive as the diamond paddles so the number of strokes/time was increased

As with all the accessories for the WEPS, it is not a case where “X” won’t work, and “Y” will. It is about the difference in the edges produced and the way they are produced by the WEPS diamonds, ceramics, pastes, sprays, and Chosera and Shaptons. I strongly agree that for the beginning WEPS user there is only the need to “get sharp” – nothing more, nothing less. When adding the accessory stones like Choseras and Shaptons, and even the other ceramics and diamond plates, it is like your wife/girlfriend having several pairs of shoes for the same outfit (or worse, several outfits to go with each pair of shoes!) – you suddenly have versatility way beyond your initial investment in the WEPS.

The prep and cleanup is a credible factor for some. There is soaking time on the Choseras, but it isn’t the 20 minutes that the full sized stones require – Longer is better if you have the time, but I usually spritz them while I am setting up and clamping the knife, and again as I set the angles, and once every now and then to keep the juices flowing while sharpening. It’s not the continuous flow that some other water stones require. Shaptons do not require presoaking, so just a quick spritz right before use and once every now and then to keep the stones clean.

Cleanup isn’t that bad, IMO – a couple of paper towels or tissues usually soaks up the water – most of it is clean and just drips right off the stones. One note I’d like to add here is that the dry WEPS diamonds do create a good deal of “dust”, which also technically requires cleanup time as well.

I think this is a great start!