Diamond or ceramic?

[J-P SAN]

Which do you prefer? I like ceramics, because they are more gentle to blade steels and I like the final results.

 

[Jason B.]

I wouldn't say ceramics are gentle they just don't cut steel like a diamond. The density and hardness of ceramics can cause problems of their own just as diamonds can gouge steel if used with too much pressure.

That said, using coarse diamonds followed by fine ceramics would be a good route for most knife sharpening needs.

 

[GCG199]

Yes, I agree. Diamonds or silicon carbide are best for course/extra course grits for removing dents and re-setting an edge bevel.

Ceramics are best for final edge finishing or polishing, along with stropping.