Arkansas, diamond or..?

[Stonyman65]

I am looking to get a medium-high quality stone for sharpening. I have a few questions about this so I though I would ask you guys.

I was looking at a Lansky Arkansas bench stone and Diamond stones. I was also looking at DMT stones also.
Right now, I have a Lansky Deluxe kit (the kit with the fine and ultra fine stones)

I am looking for a bench stone that would surpass those. Should I get a diamond, Arkansas or water stone for a mirror finished edge.
what grit?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[nozh2002]

DMT will outperform anything else in medium range. They have from 120 micron up to 6 microns (they have 3 microns as well, but I did not see really difference with 6 micron in practical use).

It will eat steel much faster then anything, stay flat and no mess with oil or water.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[he who say]

dmt, sharpmaker, all done.

 

[440hard]

If you can freehand halfway decently then go with benchstones.
Sharpmakers are great for starting out -
Good quality bench stones will last you many years..

I have the Lansky hard and soft Ark. 2x6" stones but like these better:

You could get the mirror results with these:
DMT/Ezelap Diamond Coarse/Fine stones or combo to profile/bevel.
Finish -polish with Spyderco 2x8" fine-ultra fine ceramic stones.

I like to relax and sharpen while watching football.
Get the largest stones you can. Look, listen feel.
I use all my stones dry, but you can use water also.

Use coarse-fine diamond stones to profile, set bevel,
remove nicks etc. They will leave a slightly toothy edge.
I prefer the Dia-sharp and Ezelap continuous stones.

Spyderco makes great 8x2" dry ceramic stones in med-fine-ufine.
The fine and ultrafine stones work well, produce a razor sharp edge.

Arkansas hard-black-translucent stones are tougher and will also polish.

The Norton 4000-8000 combo waterstone will put a mirror polish on.
This is man made and kind of spongy, needs to be lapped clean often.
I actually use mine damp dry but be careful not to cut/damage it.

A leather strop will maintain that mirror razor edge.

GL - Ron