Decent ceramic rod (round)

WHY would you put a question about sharpening in the General Knife Discussion? It is not our all-purpose bulletin board.
Another question: should I ding you for deal-spotting for linking to a non-Bladeforums dealer?
 
My mistake but It wasn't deal spotting I was just wondering if it was a good ceramic rod quality-wise because I am not familiar with them.You can " ding" me if you will feel better about it.It's interesting that I have to walk on eggshells just to get some advice or a simple question answered.
 
Enough about that, can anybody recommend a good ceramic rod? It doesn't have to be too aggressive but something similar to the white stone on the sharpmaker.
 
Edge Pro has excellent ones that you can buy directly from them of their website.
 
I don't like round ceramic rods because they dull the point when the tip wraps over at the end of the stroke. For a sharp tip you need to finish your stroke in the middle of a flat stone. Use something like Sharpmaker.
 
If you do like your Sharpmaker's ceramic hones, Spyderco does offer other options in ceramic. I don't think they have a large ceramic rod per se (like a chef's 'steel'), but they do make some of the best ceramic hones out there.

I've also seen a 12" ceramic 'steel' from DMT (pic below), which ought to be good. Don't see much from DMT that isn't quality.

DMTCS2a.jpg


DMT used to have a large 'triangular' rod, with different grits of diamond abrasive on 2 (maybe all 3) of the faces, and the 'corners' were ceramic, at different radiuses (well-suited for serrations). I have one, but I don't know if it's still available or not.

Edit: It's still available. It's called the 'DMT Diamond & Ceramic Triangle Sharpener' (makes sense). Model #CDT62. Has 'coarse' (45 micron) diamond on one face, 'fine' (25 micron) on the 2nd face, and smooth ceramic on the 3rd face. The three corners are ceramic, each of differing radii, which is quite versatile for different size serrations.
 
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By the way, I think you'll probably do OK with Lansky's products too (per your original post). I haven't used a ceramic rod for sharpening, but I think Lansky's got a pretty good reputation in general. They've been around a long time. I've heard some pretty good things about their 'Turn Box' sharpening set (which uses ceramic rods), and I've used a Lansky guided sharpener for a good while. Had some pretty nice results with it, in particular with the ceramic finishing hones.
 
I have dozens of assorted ceramic rods. They work fine on the edges. They just screw up the tips.
 
tiguy7 said:
I have dozens of assorted ceramic rods. They work fine on the edges. They just screw up the tips.
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They won't dull the tips if you sharpen properly... i.e. stop right when you get to the tip; don't keep going.
 
and the "damages" will be veeerry light if you use them properly, ie with very light pressure. screwing a tip comes from too much pressure applied. if the tip, like the rest of the edge barely touches the rod you won't screw anything.

and i second ankerson about edge pro rods.
 
i buy my ceramic rods from a guy i run into once in a while at a local flea market... $2 for plain, $3 for wood handled... they work just fine (i also have a Spyderco Sharpmaker - which, with the addition of a set of 'ultrafine' stones in horizontal position are just the ticket for maintaining my 100+ year-old straight razors)

i use a bit of Barkeeper's Friend or Comet on the rods once in a while...

my favorite pasttime is browsing the flea market for old steel, bringing the piece home, then bringing it back to 'popping sharp' life (shave ready) - best fun i've had in years for $0.50 to $1 each!

:-)
 
I just made a "pocket rod" by attaching a "retired" grill igniter to a scrap piece of cedar. I chucked it into a drill and "turned" the handel against my belt sander. The rod is roughly 3 inches log and seems to work pretty well.

I must be using them right because I haven't had any issues with dulling/damaging the tips of my blades. :D

Jim L.
 
Ankerson said:
Edge Pro has excellent ones that you can buy directly from them of their website.
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This is true......I have one and use it a lot. Especially for touching up the kitchen knives between sharpening. I believe they are 1200 grit incase anyone is wondering.
 
type00rev said:
This is true......I have one and use it a lot. Especially for touching up the kitchen knives between sharpening. I believe they are 1200 grit incase anyone is wondering.
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I have one of those. How do you clean them when they become loaded?
 
singularity35 said:
I have one of those. How do you clean them when they become loaded?
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For any ceramics, I use either of these methods:

1. Comet + water + Scotch-Brite pad
2. Bar Keepers Friend + water (and Scotch-Brite pad to scrub, if desired) works especially well. The oxalic acid in the BKF will dissolve the metal fines, removes the metal almost completely from the ceramic. Be sure to rinse off the BKF thoroughly (read the warnings on the container).
 
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