Just curious to ask this question, and it will most probably differ from person to person. Have you bought any cheap stones that you actually use. When I started to hone a few years ago, I got myself a king 1000/6000, and a c12k, which at the time was about the cheapest way into the honing hobby. But for some reason (may have been late at night and some alcohol involved), I bought one of those cheap wet stones from the auction site, which cost around £7 with free delivery. The stone was 3000/8000, and I still use it today, not as a finisher, but working my way up, I have never bothered looking for an alternative better stone. Don't know what it would be like now if it was in heavy use, I mostly use my cotis, but I do enjoy using my other stones and this unnamed cheapo is still in use years later anyone else had luck with a bargain price stone.