D2 knife sharpening

G

Green Onions

Joined
Dec 4, 2008
Messages
4
Hello to the group,

I would like to know if I can sharpen my D2 Ka Bar using India stones with a soft Arkansas and finish it with the Norton Black hard Arkansas bench stone. I own a set of these stones.

Or do I have to buy a set of Norton water stone in 220, 1000, 4000 and 8000 grit stones?:confused:

What work for you?

Bert
 
The course and fine India stones from Norton should work fine. I have my doubts about the soft Arkansas on steels like D2. I had one and tried it on 440C, and had good results, but it took a long time. The black Arkansas should work well as a finishing stone, but it may take more time than you're used to. I suggest an angle increase for sharpening with it, so as to create a microbevel, thus minimizing the amount of metal to be removed by the very fine stone. Norton Coarse, Fine, then black Arkansas should work fine. You can use the soft Ark. for finishing, but as a stone for bringing back a truly dull D2 knife, it may take longer than you're willing to give it. If time becomes an issue, the $5 coarse/fine hardware stones will cut D2, but they wear pretty quickly.
 
I find that D2 (BM 710, Dozier K1) responds best to DMT diamond hones. I reserve my natural stones for my high carbon steel blades.
 
I have limited experience with D2, only one knife. But so far, I would agree with Me2 and Ed, it has responded well to both Diamond and Norton India stones. I've not tried a Washita, and am unlikely to do so.

Phil Wilson says he uses India stones on D2.
 
I just got a Queen Mountain Man, D2 blade and had to touch up the edge out of the box. I used a "carborundum" stone from a USAF pilot's knife and it didn't take much longer than most of my carbon knives. It shaves hair but has a real toothy edge. I'm going to keep it this way for a while, I like it so far.
 
+1 to the diamonds, you can use D2 to cut arkansas stones.
 
I just received in the mail my new Ka Bar D2 steel knife. As soon as my new camera comes in I will take pictures using different stones and get back to you. :D
 
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