Reviewer:
Eric Carlson
from Waukesha, WI United States
While I prefer the JNS1000 as a starting stone, this is also a great one. It is a nice size and wears well and feedback is almost as good as the JNS1000. It dishes just slightly more too, but negligible. This is a very good stone for the money too.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
very fast
September 13, 2012
Reviewer:
Mark Encarnacion
from Issaquah, WA United States
I recently switched to this stone and retired my King 1000. Now I understand what people mean by "fast" stone. I used to have to spend several minutes on the King 1000 before I could raise a burr. Not so with the Bester 1200. Raising a burr is really easy. Great stone! One downside is it needs to soak a long time, ideally an hour or so.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Start here
September 13, 2012
Reviewer:
Neal Maxymillian
from Lincoln, MA United States
This stone is a great starting point for sharpening. If you're not making repairs or changing profiles this is a great bang for your buck starting point in your sharpening progression. It's easy to use and a great jump off to 3 - 5k.
Personally, I feel this stone loves the water, and would do better staying in the tub or at a minimum soaking for longer than 30 minutes.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
My go-to stone
September 13, 2012
Reviewer:
Benjamin Prescott
from Durham, NC United States
This is my go-to stone for nearly any job that isn't simply a touch up. It cuts fast, has solid feedback, and wears slow. Coming to this from a Norton Glassstone, I find it cuts a bit slower, but has far better feedback and doesn't load up as quickly. And given the price, it's just seems a no-brainer to grab this guy if you need a stone in the 1K range.
User tip: if you get the stone and find you aren't getting what all the hype is about, you might want to up the pressure slightly. Not a ton, mind you, but I did notice that I use firmer pressure with this stone than my glassstone.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Great Bargain!
September 12, 2012
Reviewer:
Rick Theory
from S. Plainfield, NJ United States
This is a great medium grit stone for beginning to advanced users. It cuts quickly and dishes slowly which helps you to cut crisp clean bevels with ease.
It provides excellent tactile feedback allowing you to feel the proper angle and hold it while sharpening. Something which is essential especially for newcomers, helping you to learn how to sharpen correctly.
It leaves a crisp, clean edge with a great finish allowing you to go up to a 5-6k stone with ease.
I use this stone on both single and double bevel knives when more than just a touch up is required. A 30 minute soak is recommended prior to use but I suggest permanently soaking it. I think it works better this way and it is always ready when you need it. Just remember to keep the stone clean and change the water at least twice a week.
Great starting Stone 
