I got the big one from the estate and a boxed WOA. I don't know the reason for the red paint. It is on the larger blocks and my understanding is these were for the French Market. Why I don't know. It was done on both the WOA and the TOS, but for a specific market so unless it was for protection of water damage only on large thick cut blocks and those were only for the French market. It seems odd.Me likey. I allways have wondered what the red paint was about, protect from water damage?. I have it the other way round, better at sharpening knives then razors. Currently waiting for a large handpicked grey ToS stone from dalmore estate for knives but the whites I have are no where near said grit rating maybe 8k max, infact I go as far to say all naturals are over rated in finish.