Bench stones for 7 steels...

[6sigma]

This is a request for suggestions for buy-it-for-life bench stones for a knife collection.

The collection initially includes 13 knives with 3"-4" blades (+/- 1"). There are 7 steels initially: S30V (4), S35VN (2), AUS-8 (2), M390, D2, VG-10 (2), 8Cr14Mov.

Do these characteristics of 13 locking folders point to a best in class set of bench stones? Brand? Size? Material? Grit/progression? Budget isn't a serious issue.

Thanks.

 

[Bob6794]

There is a DMT kit with the 6in diasharps in a wood case that goes for $90 if you shop around a little bit if you want a decent freehand setup. I think that would handle all those steels quite nicely. A strop isn't a bad investment too.

I find the size of a benchstone you use is all personal preference, for me I prefer a 6x2 stone and feel quite comfortable with it. But a 8x2 stone feels too big and im over reaching and going out of my comfort zone for how much control I have in how far I stroke the blade on the stone if I want to use the full length of the stone. Yet there will be a lot of people who will be perfectly comfortable with the same stone here. Though if you prefer small stones (I don't think a 6x2 qualifies as small) and you still want to remove a lot of metal fast you may have to move faster or use a coarser stone. And personally I think a 6x2 XC DMT stone is quite coarse and will chew threw metal quite fast so I think you be set in that catorgory.

If you ever decide to shoot for a more mirror polish edge I think you can attempt that with some strops and full complement of DMT diamond paste instead of more stones if my memory serves me correct, and of course that would work nicely in touching up your blades too.

 

[6sigma]

Thanks. I believe the set you mention includes the stone shown in the Calton video so often posted here. Useful suggestion.