Shapton M5 series waterstones.

These Shapton M5 series ceramic waterstones are supplied with a plastic case, just like the Professional series, they are colour coded, just like the Professional series, they cut rapidly and stay flat, just like the Professional series.

But they are not Professional series stones.

So what are they?

The Shapton M5 series waterstones are intended to be a home-stone, in that they are meant to find a home in a house sharpening cooking knives, scissors and similar edged devices you might find at home. As with most stone makers and their home-stones, they are full strength stones, but in a smaller size and at a smaller price.

In this case, these stones are based on the 'M' series stones, Shapton's flagship product immediately prior to the well known 'Professional' series stones, and in comparison provide maybe 90% of the performance of the Professional series with regard to speed and dish resistance. In short, they are a still very good stone even today.

In the 'M' series, the number designates the thickness of the abrasive, and naturally, these M5 stones have 5mm of abrasive bonded to a ceramic 'tile'. While that does not sound like a great amount, the tile is quite thick and rigid, permitting these stones to be used all the way down to the substrate tile, much like the new Glass Stones, so when you get 5mm of abrasive, you get to use all of it, all the way up.

(Although I suspect that the abrasive is a little thicker than the nominal 5mm, I can't be sure since I have not yet worn one out!)

An excellent choice if you want a top quality sharpening stone without a top shelf price tag.

210 x 70 x 20mm overall size, nominal 5mm thick abrasive bonded to a ceramic tile and supplied with a plastic case/stand.