Over the years I've read about sharpening on Japanese whetstones and always cringed slightly when I looked at the cost of a set of them. Besides I have plenty of other ways to sharpen my chisels/plane irons/scrapers/whatever. But on another forum a fellow posted he had a set to gist to someone, it had already been up 10 minutes when i saw it and no one asked for them....so I did. He even paid to ship them to me. The USPS wasn't kind however, and one stove got a small chip in a corner (still in the package), and the opposite side of that same stone was cracked. Regardless, both are still usable, flat as Kansas, and he even gave me the stone holder for use. I've wanted to try these type of stones for some time, now I get the chance. I only know the grrit of one, the one in the holder is boldly printed 800 grit, no idea what the others are....but I'm sure I can find a use for all of them.

Great score Fred!  Getting some payback for your having paid it forward a year or so ago

Looking forward to your test & review of them...

I don't have any tools that need sharpened at the moment, but i did tune up my pocket knife. It took maybe 10 strokes in each direction on one of the stones and it was razor sharp....to say I was impressed would be an understatement.

Wonderful gift from the giver and what a cool adventure you are on now Fred, we are never to old to learn new techniques, even for you Fred

A great addition to your tool collection.  Nice score.

5 hours ago, John Morris said:

we are never to old to learn new techniques, even for you Fred

These smart-a$$ kids, eh Fred?

3 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

These smart-a$$ kids, eh Fred?

I'll take that as a compliment John, I still got it, even at 58 yrs old.

Nice set Fred! 

 Even old hippies can learn new tricks! 

9 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

 Even old hippies can learn new tricks! 

33 minutes ago, John Morris said:

 

  I think I know her. 

 

Might be me on the right! 

Edited April 14, 20242 yr by Larry Buskirk

I’ve been using them for many years Fred and they work great with one exception. You have to flatten them occasionally because they are quite a bit softer that regular stones. I use some carbide grit and a piece of 1/4” glass which has worked well over the years. 
Paul

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

I think I still have a Himalayan shepherd's flute somewhere around here. My dad, who was a bit of a joker, made it long ago, and it was passed down to me. It consists of a hollow wood tube, about 18" or so long and 1 1/2" in diameter. A tight cork is inserted in the upper end, and pushed down about 4", then a series of 1/4" holes is drilled below the cork, one every inch or so. Spacing is not critical. A second cork, slightly larger than the first, has a hole drilled through it to accept a metal tube, about 3/8" more or less, and several (8 or so) slots are filed down (lengthwise) the side of the cork. These should be V-shaped, and about 1/16 to 1/8" deep. The metal tube is then inserted through the cork, so that 1/2" or so protrudes at the bottom (Inside the flute.) and 3 to 4" remain as a mouthpiece. Before trying it out, about 2 tablespoons of flour is placed in the upper compartment, between the corks. The stopper cork with the mouthpiece is inserted, and the flute is then passed to some unsuspecting person, who generally looks over the contraption, then puts it to his/her lips and gives a mighty puff.

   If you haven't figured it out by now, a cloud of flour dust is propelled up the slots, and the poor flautist is left with a very white face, while the rest of the party gets a good laugh! No lawsuits ever resulted, but times HAVE changed, so you try this out at your own risk!!!

47 minutes ago, Masonsailor said:

I’ve been using them for many years Fred and they work great with one exception. You have to flatten them occasionally because they are quite a bit softer that regular stones. I use some carbide grit and a piece of 1/4” glass which has worked well over the years. 
Paul

 Yeah, I found that out...even the quick knife sharpening I did put a shallow dip in the stone I used. I flattened it again, it took longer to flatten it than to sharpen my knife.

Nice score Fred. Always great to hear stories like this from woodworking communities. Sorry to hear USPS bent, folded and mutilated. IIRC, James Hamilton has shown you can use a diamond plate when the water stones need flattened.