The Shapton Glass Stone Series includes the finest man-made ceramic waterstones ... period! This claim is based largely on two properties – the speed at which the Shapton stones cut and the edge they create. Shapton stones are designed to be harder, faster cutting, and denser than any other ceramic waterstone on the market. Because they remove material quickly, the time required to hold a tool angle on the stone is reduced, making freehand sharpening much easier. Equally important to cutting speed is the consistency of the finished edge. The sharpest cutting edge is created by the finite intersection of two highly polished, flat surfaces. The finishing grits (16,000 and 30,000) of the Shapton stone system leave a polished surface free of scratches, creating a mirror finished, razor-sharp edge. Each stone is comprised of a 5mm-thick glass backing plate fused to a 5mm-thick stone and measures 2-3/4" W x 8-1/4" L.This set is a great value for those who want a complete set of Shapton stones. The three stones slot into the field holder and are held securely by a hook & loop strap so you can take them with you anywhere.