I too have the 1,500, 2,200 and 3,000 grit stones, as well as lapping film and strops. In fact, I have a lot of DLF inventory that I’m very little use out of. The 2200/3000 grit stones don’t seem to produce the polish I got with my well-worn 1500’s, but microphotos suggest that the scratch patterns are correct. so I’ve been using them.
This is my opinion based on my personal observations and my user experiences: The older 1500 grit stones owned by Michael Blakely and Frans are the originally released 1500/glass blank combo, stone set. I have two of these older stones and two of the more recently released, (this past year) newer 1500 grit stones. The older stones in my user experience are finer behaving and give a more polished result then the newer same named stones. The older, first produced and sold, 1500 grit stones also appear finer then the new 2200/3000 grit in my user experience and my observed results after using them all and comparing the bevels visually with a USB Microscope. As well as the newest 1500/2200/3000 grits do work and fit together in that new progression. I don’t believe the 2200/3000 grit stones will lend anything enhancing to the progression after the two year old 1500 grit diamond stones. For the older 1500 grit stones the next step in that progression, IMO, is diamond lapping films if your looking for finer grit stones, or, possible the ceramic stones, (I have little experience with the ceramics) and then finish with the strops.
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