Diamond or CBN?

[DrRollinstein]

Which is preferred for sharpening super steels on the sharpmaker? I know absolutely nothing about them, but they have the same description on bladehq.

 

[Sharp Guy]

I had the same question a while back and from what I read the general consensus was that they both perform very similarly. I ended going with the CBN rods just to try something different. They work fine.

 

[DrRollinstein]

I had the same question a while back and from what I read the general consensus was that they both perform very similarly. I ended going with the CBN rods just to try something different. They work fine.

Well that sounds fine then. I figured id grab some since most of my knives are M390 or S35VN or the like. I generally dont let them get that dull, but you never know.

 

[5-by-5]

Up at 340am watching Sharpening Porn on YouTube.

 

[SharpPancake]

Main difference is hardness. CBN is around 4700 Knoop, diamond is 7000 Knoop. Some people say, that CBN is ,,more gentle“ to steel, because is not as hard as diamond, so it cuts all the carbides with less agression. I dont know what to think about it, both will but vanadium carbides (hardest type of carbide) like nothing. I think normal knife user can´t really tell a difference. If you are sharpening nerf then maybe yes.

EDIT: My guestion is, will be CBN/diamond stone your finishing stone, or you will just start your sharpening from them? If you are going to progress to medium, then fine (or even ultrafine) both will do the job.

 

[kniferbro]

I'm probably talking completely out of my ass but I remember hearing from @DeadboxHero on his youtube channel that CBN breaks down into sharper pieces than diamonds do or something crazy like that. "Frangibility"???? I'm vaguely remembering something like this.

 

[Mo2]

On top of the two types there are sub categories called Monocrystalline and polycrystalline for each one. One breaks down faster than the other. You can Google for more info or search bladeforums.
https://scienceofsharp.wordpress.com
Good site for sem images. Search the terms mono and poly to find some good close ups. Other sites will go into wear of the abrasives themselves.