Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>You're not playing fairly, Dave, got to tell us what you use when sharpening a paring chisel for best edge. And while I disagree in theory about whacked chisels, the pragmatic I agrees that it doesn't seem to make much difference as long as they're not very slow whacks. (Hey, maybe I, too, can be a politician! :))

I've been accumulating natural stones for the last couple of years (it takes a while when depending on ebay, due to my inability to write all that many $500-$1,000 checks that don't bounce), largely encouraged by LV and their bargain natural stones, as well as by a statement Jim Blauvelt made on the Hiraide forum. To wit, sometimes he got the best edge by finishing with a softer stone after using a very hard stone.

Also, in this acquisition process a couple or three Japanese stone sellers have said that they recommend relatively soft stones for beginners. I truly don't understand why it would make a difference whether you are a beginner. Perhaps success is more likely and, therefore, encouraging? Perhaps it takes so long on a hard stone that it would be discouraging? Perhaps real damage can be done with a hard stone? Whatever the reason, and I do believe they have rational reasons for saying this, I interpreted their statements to imply that you could get steel sharp with soft and/or hard natural stones. Can you elucidate?

Thanks,
Pam