When I was first looking for a sharpening solution for my leatherworking tools, I ended up going with diamond stones. These seemed like the simplest sharpening solution because they don't require levelling. The thing that no one warned me about, however, is that they provide very little feedback during sharpening. As a result, especially when I was starting out and just learning, I found it very difficult to improve my skills and to get results that I considered acceptable. That's where the Shapton GlassStones entered the picture. They are much more "tactile," and the things that I thought would make them more difficult to use (like soaking and levelling) turned out to be very simple. They are long-lasting, easy to use, and great for building up your sharpening skills but, of course, are also a professional grade sharpening solution that you will never outgrow. Highly recommended!