Cv20

[Skar]

I know this seems rediculous.
Do you need diamond stone for cv20 ?

I'm using a honing steel but it doesn't seem to be working.

 

[BillZee]

I believe a better question is what types of sharpening material are best for what types of steel?

 

[Alberta Ed]

You need a diamond hone because 20 CV has a high amount of very hard carbides and conventional hones are softer than those carbides. A steel doesn't really sharpen the edge; it aligns the microscopic 'teeth' of an edge so you don't have to sharpen as frequently. (There are some steels with grooves, but even those won't sharpen and they might damage the edge.) Check the Maintenance, tinkering and embellishment forum here -- there's a lot of useful information there on sharpening.

 

[John_0917]

Ehh ... well yes... but actually no...

20CV & friends do have 4% vanadium but, as Larrin’s article explains, due to the super high chromium content the actual VC carbide content is less (around 2-2.5%), something like S30V will have 4%+ VC.

Generally speaking, steels get really hard to sharpen at 4% or more vanadium, which is why HSS like M4 and Rex45 can be sharpened w/ceramics easily (they’re at 3%).

 

[jbmonkey]

try a sic stone. ive been able to sharpen many steels with it well. typically cheaper than diamond stones.

 

[Skar]

try a sic stone. ive been able to sharpen many steels with it well. typically cheaper than diamond stones.

Is a sic stone the same as a whet stone ?!?
I know silicone carbide ... I have a Hugemongous whet stone. I've been under the impression whet stones aren't effective on these higher end steels.

The diamond stones are pretty cheap.
Just want the job done !!
I've also been weighing the idea of a sharpemaker (spyderco).
I can hand sharpen i just don't enjoy it.

 

[soc_monki]

Is a sic stone the same as a whet stone ?!?
I know silicone carbide ... I have a Hugemongous whet stone. I've been under the impression whet stones aren't effective on these higher end steels.

The diamond stones are pretty cheap.
Just want the job done !!
I've also been weighing the idea of a sharpemaker (spyderco).
I can hand sharpen i just don't enjoy it.

Whet means to sharpen. A Whet stone can be ceramic, diamond, silicon carbide, or cbn. 20CV, as mentioned above, has lots of Chromium, but less Vanadium, than something like S30V. While it has some amazing properties (like great edge retention) it is not that difficult to sharpen and you don't need diamonds, although they do work great.

I've used a sharpmaker on my 20cv/M390 knives, it works great. If you have to reprofile though get the diamond or cbn rods, will make the process much easier/faster.

 

[Skar]

Whet means to sharpen. A Whet stone can be ceramic, diamond, silicon carbide, or cbn. 20CV, as mentioned above, has lots of Chromium, but less Vanadium, than something like S30V. While it has some amazing properties (like great edge retention) it is not that difficult to sharpen and you don't need diamonds, although they do work great.

I've used a sharpmaker on my 20cv/M390 knives, it works great. If you have to reprofile though get the diamond or cbn rods, will make the process much easier/faster.

I think im going to buy a diamond stone.
Then no matter what steel it is; I know it will get the job done.
They are only 15$ so no big loss.

Thanks for the advice !

 

[Alberta Ed]

I think im going to buy a diamond stone.
Then no matter what steel it is; I know it will get the job done.
They are only 15$ so no big loss.

Thanks for the advice !

DMT diamond hones are very good. Mine have lasted for decades. DMT's double sided folding Diafolds come in several grits, the most useful probably being fine/coarse. I used those for years before getting DMT bench hones.