This medium-coarse sharpening stone provides a matte finish. Its capable of delivering a sharp edge but benefits from further polishing to achieve impressive sharpness. The #500 stone is an excellent all-rounder, efficiently removing metal at a relatively fast pace. The Rockstar 500 is slightly coarser than the Shapton Pro 1000 and is often used for sharpening a relatively dull edge before moving on to a finisher.

• #500
• Size: 210 x 70 x 12 mm

Shapton's sharpening stones are widely regarded as some of the best on the market. They efficiently remove metal, and their high hardness means the stones wear down very slowly and maintain their shape well. The hard ceramic requires minimal water and is of the "splash & go" type, meaning you don't need to soak the stone in water before use. Instead, simply pour a handful of water onto the stone and start sharpening immediately.

We highly recommend Shapton Glass Stones for their excellent quality. For best results, use them with this stone holder: Sharpening Stone Holder

Care Instructions:

1. Rinse the stone with cold water after use. Never use dish soap or hot water.
2. Dry the stone with a lint-free cloth, then let it air dry at room temperature (avoid drying in direct sunlight or with a hairdryer).
3. Do not stack the stones while drying as they may stick to each other.
4. Store the stone at room temperature.

What's the Difference Between Shapton Glass, Pro, and Rockstar Stones?

The stones are relatively similar in performance and all three series are excellent choices regardless of your skill level. 

Shapton Glass is slightly harder than Pro and therefore wears down a bit more slowly. Both Glass and Rockstar have similar hardness. The benefit of a harder stone is that it doesn't need flattening as often. However, the Pro stone is thicker. We estimate that the Pro stone has a slightly longer lifespan than the Glass, but the Glass stone maintains its shape better. Rockstar is thicker than Glass and has a slightly longer lifespan, though the difference is not significant. An advantage of the Shapton Pro is that it comes with a holder/case and both sides of the stones can be useed for sharpening.This can be practical if the stone gets nicked or loses its shape. Rockstar is also reversible, while Glass is fixed to its glass base. This allows you to use the stone all the way down to the adhesive that holds the glass in place.

In summary, all the stones are of the highest possible quality and fully comparable. Which one suits your needs best?