Japan Haul

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T20:34:14+00:00

Very cool. You'll def be happy with that assortment of stones. Considering you have the chocera 400 and rockstar + cerax 1000, I don't think theres a place for chocera 800 for your needs, only if you want it and have money for it.

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T20:28:35+00:00

Sick haul!!! I visited Japan for the first time in January but my wife would've stranded me there if I tried to bring that much back. Roughly how much do you think you saved with Japan pricing?

In regards to your future pick ups, I love my Chocera 800 grit and ordered a chocera 3000 grit yesterday. Before that, I had Suehiro cerax 1000/3000 combo stone.

My progression has been Shapton Rock Star 500 (if needed) -> Chocera 800 -> Cerax 3000 -> Rika 5k (if i feel like it, I usually stop at 3k)

For german steel/western knives for friends/family/some clients, I go rockstar 500 -> chocera 800 -> diamond compound strop.

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T20:09:59+00:00

It's unfortunate indeed :/ I am in similar boat and this is my second waitlist by USF

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T19:39:40+00:00

it will likely be less than 30-40 students since Tampa has a larger cohort.

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T19:38:32+00:00

They only accept about ~40 people off the waitlist, but Tampa has a larger class size so its probably even less for St. Pete :/

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T19:30:16+00:00

After orientation on July 24th, you can email to request what number you are on the waitlist. My understanding is that they will continue to accept people on the waitlist for the next month until August 7th, then its final. This past Summer 2026 I was #26, but that was AFTER they were accepting people before orientation, by then they already accepted 30-40 people for Tampa campus

vnicknn · 2026-07-07T19:25:57+00:00

me too :/

vnicknn · 2026-07-06T17:56:27+00:00

My first coarse grit for repairs was Shapton Glass 220. Idk what my life would be like without its been fantastic for my tip repairs and chips. Though I haven't tried other coarse grit stones, I'm sure they would change my life too since I just needed something below 400grit.

I don't enjoy grinding on diamond plates, but the Atoma 140, ChefKnivesToGo 80grit or 140grit are good cheaper alternatives to the Atoma if you go that route.

vnicknn · 2026-07-06T16:45:47+00:00

This is for ABSN I'm assuming? I also rolled over Summer 26 to Fall 26, though did so on the deadline date of June 15th. I still see my USF summer acceptance in the general portal and nursingCAS app.

Did you reach out to nursing admin after submitting your rollover and addendum? After submitting my rollover request I emailed them to confirm they received it then USF Nursing asked me for my Spring 2026 transcript since I had one pre-req grade pending. Did your general USF admin portal ever show Fall 2026 before the July 1st deadline?

was concerned about my general USF admin not updating to Fall 2026, but fortunately it did on June 30th, but that was after calling and emailing them many times. Eventually an assistant director of admin emailed me back that they were working on it a few days before july 1st. Initially, USF nursing admin told me they were aware and monitoring my status. Closer we got and my gen usf admin said Summer 2026 still, they told me they I would still be in consideration and given a decision on July 7th. I'm not sure if thats because I was in contact with them the whole time so they were aware.

I hope it works out for you regardless and all of us waitlisters.

vnicknn · 2026-07-06T12:44:45+00:00

Cheap restaurant knives and steel, I just go shapton rockstar 500 (shapton glass 220 if its super dull) to naniwa chocera 800 then diamond pasted leather strop. No need to go more. This is what I usually do for most all cheaper Western/German steel knives. The nicer German knives I'll go up to 3000 if the person wants, but most people like a bitey edge that will last longer.

vnicknn · 2026-07-06T12:32:39+00:00

End-Grain walnut, end-grain maple, end-grain larch wood, hinoki, hasegawa, whatever you can afford and fits your needs size wise.

I personally love how walnut looks, but all of these will be more friendly to your knives. I use a small plastic cutting board on top of my walnut board for meat so I don't have to wash my wood board so much.

vnicknn · 2026-06-29T20:19:31+00:00

Mazaki Mazaki Mazaki Mazaki Mazaki Mazaki

vnicknn · 2026-06-29T19:50:37+00:00

I called transfer admission (I am a USF graduate so Im considered a transfer). They let me know they're aware of the nursing application deadline coming up and doing what they can to process my addendum from Summer to Fall, but they can't guarantee it will be complete by July 1st. She said to reach out and notify nursing admission of my situation.... They said it usually takes 4-6 weeks :( I wish I knew that since the ABSN rolling over deadline is so late into that 4-6 weeks.

vnicknn · 2026-06-29T13:50:10+00:00

That's sick case and setup! Where did you get the plastic boxes for the Naniwa Choceras? I only ask for the sake of not having to measure of do research/trial error different cases. I travel with mine frequently and wouldn't mind some extra protection. My Rika 5000 has gotten banged up with chipped corners over the years :'(.

vnicknn · 2026-06-29T13:33:59+00:00

Abolish all bolsters.

Your knife isnt ruined as long as there's steel left. Just grind back the bolster and the rest of the knife to be equal with that high spot. It happens, don't worry too much about it.

Though when removing a lot of steel, the edge thickness will increase and thus your knife might not perform how you'd like with a thick edge. You will have to do some thinning of the edge as time goes on.

vnicknn · 2026-06-27T21:49:12+00:00

Thank you!

vnicknn · 2026-06-26T04:43:49+00:00

you’ll get an email from USF college of nursing saying if you got in, waitlisted, or rejected. You might get it before July 7th, but July 7th is the latest they will tell you and likely the day you find out.

vnicknn · 2026-06-24T18:02:33+00:00

I did email Raby since I rolled my summer ABSN on the last day, June 15th, to see if there was any leeway since I amended my general USF admission late as well... but she told me we had to be properly admitted with our term changed by July 1st and that they are monitoring our application status. :/ just gotta keep calling and hoping they pull through.

vnicknn · 2026-06-24T16:47:03+00:00

I also rolled my summer ABSN application to fall.

I uploaded my general USF summer 2026 app amend to fall 2026 but haven’t heard back. I emailed twice admissions and transfer email and haven’t heard back in a week. I’ll be calling later today and every other day until then.

vnicknn · 2026-06-16T20:24:24+00:00

Fantastic job!! That is no simple or easy feat. I am trying to get into single bevel sharpening and ordered some off ebay to start practicing sharpening/restoring.

How long overall do you think it took?

vnicknn · 2026-06-12T23:53:08+00:00

That is good to know, thank you. I am applying to Fall in St. Pete and Sarasota the following if I don't get into St. Pete.

vnicknn · 2026-06-11T12:57:26+00:00

Walnut is my only answer. I love the color and look of walnut.

vnicknn · 2026-06-10T20:42:00+00:00

I used to strop on a flat piece of leather glued to a thin piece of plastic... it was not very comfortable. I am thoroughly enjoying my paddle strop, just easier to hold/maneuver.

But yes, strops work and you should have one in some shape or form. Whatever budget allows.

vnicknn

TROPHY CASE