Compund/Diamond strop vs 3000/8000 grit whetstone?

[bubblewhip]

I'm thinking of stepping up my sharpness from Spyderco Fine Rods without going to ultra fine. Looking for a mirror polish finish. Which should I go for? Leather diamond strop or a 3000/8000 grit whetstone?

 

[stitchawl]

Which do you enjoy doing more; stropping or stone work? Both will get you to just about the same place. Stropping with .25 mic diamond paste is a bit finer than the 8,000 grit stone, but pretty much really only noticeable under magnification. It boils down to which sort of action you prefer.

Stitchawl

 

[Jason B.]

You would be better off with the UF rods, the water stone will not take you any further than the UF rods. You will also most likely have a finer polish from the UF rods simply because of the way the abrasive reacts with the steel.

 

[Jeff Clark]

If you are sharpening anything other than a simple carbon steel or a smooth stainless like 12C27, AUS6 or AUS8 I would go for a smooth strop loaded with .25 to 1 micron diamond paste. For tool steels or most hard stainless the diamonds can really give you a better result.