The real last for ever water stones are diamond. I bit the bullet and bought
three 112 inch diamond stones and a 6000 grit water stone. I get e mirror
finish and can shave with it. Mine are 10 years old and are still perfect.
max

Hi All. My sister is giving her 13 year old a block plane for Christmas
- I'll be sending him one of my type 12 Stanley #3's for his summertime
birthday. The block plane will be his first tool with a large blade and
I'd like to give him a sharpening stone to go along with it. I'm
thinking a combination stone to keep costs down and simplicity and
convenience up.

I use a combo coarse/fine Norton India and a couple finer ceramic stones
for my bench needs. I'm considering getting him the Norton combo stone
as well, but I'm not sure he (or his mom and dad) would be too thrilled
with using and keeping kerosene or oil around for the stone. That leads
me to waterstones, but I have no experience with them. I see there are
combo waterstones in the 8"x2" size in (250/1000) grits and (1000/6000)
grits - both of which are in my $20-25 price range.

Any comments oil vs. water for a first-time sharpener as well as which
grit if I go with the waterstones?

Also, please don't suggest the "scary sharp" sandpaper methods - I'm
looking for a "real" stone that he can keep for a long time without the
need to keep a selection of supplies on hand.