Recommendation? 250$ sharpening budget ....advise?

flatblackcapo

flatblackcapo

Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
9,286
I have been thinking about getting the 4pc DMT 8" Dia Sharp set for 200$. I will be sharpening every thing from 1084 to cpm 20cv. What I am wondering is can my 250 be better spent. Do I really need all 4 plates ( EF , F , C , XC ) ?
 
Depending on what tools you're sharpening. I normally only use my XC, C, EF. Often enough I reset the bevel on the XC and micro on the EF - makes a great EDU edge. The F and EEF do not get used a lot, nor does the XXC except as a lapping plate for my waterstones.

If you are planning on cosmetic sharpening or doing woodworking tools you will want that EEF and probably the F as well.
 
Good info above. I use the fine for cheap kitchen knife upkeep at work. no one sharpens besides me at work and that plate keeps the crews knives respectable in a short time.
I have all the dmt and most of the atoma and a couple, like the medium eef have not even been broken in.
It is nice to have a really coarse plate for damaged edges or reprofile games but I could have lived without initially.
You would have a solid set up with the plates you mentioned. Proper break in and low pressure will ensure that they last you quite awhile.
A lot of negativity directed at dmt and atoma comes from people leaning on them like a coarse crystolon norton.
When you remove operator error from the equation you have a tried and tested product and I think you would be happy with your choice.

Regards, Russ
 
HeavyHanded said:
Depending on what tools you're sharpening. I normally only use my XC, C, EF. Often enough I reset the bevel on the XC and micro on the EF - makes a great EDU edge. The F and EEF do not get used a lot, nor does the XXC except as a lapping plate for my waterstones.

If you are planning on cosmetic sharpening or doing woodworking tools you will want that EEF and probably the F as well.
Click to expand...

mycough said:
Good info above. I use the fine for cheap kitchen knife upkeep at work. no one sharpens besides me at work and that plate keeps the crews knives respectable in a short time.
I have all the dmt and most of the atoma and a couple, like the medium eef have not even been broken in.
It is nice to have a really coarse plate for damaged edges or reprofile games but I could have lived without initially.
You would have a solid set up with the plates you mentioned. Proper break in and low pressure will ensure that they last you quite awhile.
A lot of negativity directed at dmt and atoma comes from people leaning on them like a coarse crystolon norton.
When you remove operator error from the equation you have a tried and tested product and I think you would be happy with your choice.

Regards, Russ
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like I will be able to get use out of all four plates.
I still use my Washboard for 90% of my sharpening. The other 10% is traditional pocket knives that I use Arkansas stones.
 
Atoma 140
DMT Coarse
Naniwa Gouken Aramusha 220
Naniwa Gouken Kurouto 1000
Naniwa Gouken Hayabusa 4000

I have a 220 coming so I can't say I have used that exact stone yet but if the others are any indication then it should be about perfect. The 1k and 4k Naniwa stones are my currently most used waterstones and work extremely well on your average carbon and stainless steel.

The diamonds obviously for the high alloy steels and IMO I would probably add the Fine DMT at some point. Personally, I like the Fine DMT when I need a quick touch-up and don't have time to strop or don't feel the need.
 
Jason B. said:
Atoma 140
DMT Coarse
Naniwa Gouken Aramusha 220
Naniwa Gouken Kurouto 1000
Naniwa Gouken Hayabusa 4000

I have a 220 coming so I can't say I have used that exact stone yet but if the others are any indication then it should be about perfect. The 1k and 4k Naniwa stones are my currently most used waterstones and work extremely well on your average carbon and stainless steel.

The diamonds obviously for the high alloy steels and IMO I would probably add the Fine DMT at some point. Personally, I like the Fine DMT when I need a quick touch-up and don't have time to strop or don't feel the need.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jason, for the info. Honestly, I am a bit afraid to get into waterstones. I can see myself diving deeeep down that rabbit hole.

Cheesehead_Slasher said:
Save a bit more and buy a Wicked Edge. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendation, I don't think a guided system is what I am looking for at this time.
 
You'll get good use out of your DMT stones. I'm freehand only and I use DMT the majority of the time. I say go ahead and get them. Freehand sharpening is a skill that you have to do constantly to get good at. I've been freehand sharpening for over 30 years, so it's like second nature muscle memory for me. If you don't like your stones, I'll take dibs on the green 1200 and blue 320 one!
 
91bravo said:
You'll get good use out of your DMT stones. I'm freehand only and I use DMT the majority of the time. I say go ahead and get them. Freehand sharpening is a skill that you have to do constantly to get good at. I've been freehand sharpening for over 30 years, so it's like second nature muscle memory for me. If you don't like your stones, I'll take dibs on the green 1200 and blue 320 one!
Click to expand...

So what your saying is the pull through sharpener is not good? ;)
:D


I ordered the 4 plate set. Thanks to all who chimed in.
 
91bravo said:
Pull through sharpeners are only good for messing up your edge and leave long, hideous, horizontal, scratch patterns :eek:

Are you planning on a freehand stone set or a whole guided system?
Click to expand...

What about the sharpener on the back of my Grandma's electric can opener, is that one good? ;)

I have always sharpened freehand. For the past few years, I have used HeavyHanded's Washboard system. The Washboard is super versatile and a great bag for your buck. I could have probably used that for the rest of my life and been fine but
i just wanted to try something new.
In the past year or so I have also started sharpening on my belt grinder with good results but I enjoy the meditative relaxation I get from freehand sharpening with stones.

I have two other questions for you Brovo , Jason B. Jason B. & HeavyHanded HeavyHanded . If you were going to add one waterstone to complement these 4 plates what would it be. Second question, any advise about diamond stropping spray?
 
I also am a freehand sharpener for the last 65 years. Main stone is a Norton Combination stone (coarse and fine sided); a 1000 grit ceramic stone and emory paper on a paint paddle (240, 400, 600, 1500). Of course always drawing away from edge on the emory paper. Total costs for the stones about $40, and maybe 10 bucks for a pack of emory every now and then. No need for fancy sharpening systems.
Rich
 
flatblackcapo said:
What about the sharpener on the back of my Grandma's electric can opener, is that one good? ;)

I have always sharpened freehand. For the past few years, I have used HeavyHanded's Washboard system. The Washboard is super versatile and a great bag for your buck. I could have probably used that for the rest of my life and been fine but
i just wanted to try something new.
In the past year or so I have also started sharpening on my belt grinder with good results but I enjoy the meditative relaxation I get from freehand sharpening with stones.

I have two other questions for you Brovo , Jason B. Jason B. & HeavyHanded HeavyHanded . If you were going to add one waterstone to complement these 4 plates what would it be. Second question, any advise about diamond stropping spray?
Click to expand...

I have to honestly say that I haven't used a waterstone in ages, since I've discovered diamonds. Diamonds abrade any kind of steel out there, so it makes sharpening of the hard steels faster. Diamond stropping spray? I don't think I've ever used it before. For a high finish on my edge, I'll finish on Flexxx Strops white compound and then on a bare kangaroo strop. Is the diamond spray for the highly mirrored polish on your edge?
 
flatblackcapo said:
I have been thinking about getting the 4pc DMT 8" Dia Sharp set for 200$. I will be sharpening every thing from 1084 to cpm 20cv. What I am wondering is can my 250 be better spent. Do I really need all 4 plates ( EF , F , C , XC ) ?
Click to expand...

I much prefer the diamond whetstones (interrupted) to the diasharps. They never left a good finish for me. I've heard they are not as flat as the interrupted(?) That being said I LOVE the diamond whetstones!
 
91bravo said:
I have to honestly say that I haven't used a waterstone in ages, since I've discovered diamonds. Diamonds abrade any kind of steel out there, so it makes sharpening of the hard steels faster. Diamond stropping spray? I don't think I've ever used it before. For a high finish on my edge, I'll finish on Flexxx Strops white compound and then on a bare kangaroo strop. Is the diamond spray for the highly mirrored polish on your edge?
Click to expand...

I am just curious about the diamond stropping spray / paste. I am not really after a polished edge. What I do want is a crisp bevel and the best user edge I can get.
I have been using HeavyHanded's stopping compound that has some diamond in it ( not sure of the micron) on paper with good results. I stropped my cpm 20cv Grip' with it after cutting some carpet and it brought it right back.
 
I guess paste, compound, spray or whatever are all just substrates for abrasion. Some are finer grit than others. I've never been curious to the spray as the compound on leather, has always worked for me!
 
flatblackcapo said:
What about the sharpener on the back of my Grandma's electric can opener, is that one good? ;)

I have always sharpened freehand. For the past few years, I have used HeavyHanded's Washboard system. The Washboard is super versatile and a great bag for your buck. I could have probably used that for the rest of my life and been fine but
i just wanted to try something new.
In the past year or so I have also started sharpening on my belt grinder with good results but I enjoy the meditative relaxation I get from freehand sharpening with stones.

I have two other questions for you Brovo , Jason B. Jason B. & HeavyHanded HeavyHanded . If you were going to add one waterstone to complement these 4 plates what would it be. Second question, any advise about diamond stropping spray?
Click to expand...

One of the most useful waterstones I've picked up has been the Suehiro Rika G8. It a finish polishing-grade waterstone using silicon carbide in a ceramic binder. While it cannot tackle high Vanadium stuff, it does a better job on other high carbide steels and a great job on all others. Notably better than my AlumOx stones on High Speed Steels.

This sort of gets to the heart of what waterstones do best in my opinion - finishing edges. For commercial use I often use this stone for a microbevel following a 125 micron diamond belt and the edges are first rate. I use it often as a finish stone on a lot of my personal sharpening as well.

I could recommend plenty of other waterstones (pretty sure you are close enough to Suzuki Ya to shop the counter, their line of house stones is great!), but if I had to recommend a single waterstone that plays well with all other sharpening media, the G8 would be that one.
 
I would still recommend the Naniwa stones. I would also recommend DMT diamond paste.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top