Shapton Professional is a series of sharpening stones that are very effective and deliver exceptional sharpening power. The stones are of the 'Splash & Go' type, which means they do not need to be soaked in water before use. Instead, you simply pour a palmful of water onto the stone and start sharpening. The coarser stones in the series (#220 and #1000) are a bit thirstier than the fine ones, so it's not wrong to soak them in water for a minute before you start sharpening. The stones are very hard and retain their shape for a long time. Of course, these stones also need to be flattened over time, but compared to other stones, Shapton's hard sharpening stones retain their shape for a very long time.
The stone comes in a plastic case that provides good protection for the stone. The case can also be used as a stone holder while you sharpen. Very practical.
