So I bought.

[Bear_Blade]

A 12" X 3" Welsh "LLYN MELYNLLYN" stone 10-12k
A 12" X 3" Welsh slate 15k
And am looking at a 12" X 3" Zulu grey stone. And maybe a translucent Arkansas...

Am I nuts? Is it too late for me? Are these good choices?

 

[Gamma]

IMO - none of the Welsh Slates live up to their advertised 'grit' assignment.
Decent serviceable stones, but not the bees knees. I preferred the purple stone to the green/black one.
Translucent Arks are slow and unforgiving - but when used correctly they yield brilliant edges. They're finishers only.
I read good things about the Zulu, but I have no need to experiment with finishers so I won't be playing around with that one.

 

[tomjr]

i love my translucent arki, it yields the best edges i ever used. i have tried most of the common finishers but not the zulu grey.

 

[jpcwon]

I love both my Zulu Greys (have a big 8x3" and a little 8x1")... They're fantastic finishers which provide a smooth, keen edge. I usually use them after honing on my coticule, and I really like how it enhances the coti edge without "overpowering" it.

The LM and the "Welsh 15k" stones are good stones too, but I much prefer the Zulu for finishing IMHO...

 

[Obiwan]

Are you nuts?........of course. Good news is we all are too. As for the zulu grey. 12x3 is huge. I think 8x3 is more than enough if you want to save a bit of money.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

You could get into jnats!

 

[Bear_Blade]

Yeah-yeah... You hush now! God knows I'm at least two full disorders past my allowable limit!!

@ Obiwan the difference isn't that much... 'sides I'm 6'4" 8" X 3" is a wee little stone!! lol!

 

[mainaman]

A 12" X 3" Welsh "LLYN MELYNLLYN" stone 10-12k
A 12" X 3" Welsh slate 15k
And am looking at a 12" X 3" Zulu grey stone. And maybe a translucent Arkansas...

Am I nuts? Is it too late for me? Are these good choices?

wait till you get into Jnats , then you can ask the question about nutness