diamond plate or stone?

[tinfoil hat timmy]

I'm in the market for some long lasting sharpening tools. I have done some research and have a couple of questions for those with more experience than I.

What is better? A waterstone or diamond plate for lower grit coarse sharpening?
-I will mostly be sharpening higher carbon steels, but I do own some stainless blades I'd like to put a nice edge on. (lots of Becker ka bars in the collection)
-I'd like what I buy to last for some time and have seen videos of water stones turning concave with use. Do diamond plate swear out quickly?
-I'd like my sharpening tool to be able to sharpen most sizes of blades, maybe a bit over 10" Is as big as I plan on buying.

I'm grateful for any direction that happens to end up here.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

There are stones other than waterstones. I suggest an India stone, or even Carborundum for coarse sharpening.

 

[Ajack60]

With carbon steel, the diamond stone will last a while but also be more aggressive taking off steel. Diamonds are more suitable for hard steels that have higher carbides engrained in the steel. I bought diamond stones for ZDP89, S110V, M390, S30V steels. You may not need diamonds for lower carbide steels. I have had to adjust to the diamond stones by applying less pressure while sharpening. I've experienced that too much pressure will cause chipping in the steel, a wire edge, rolling the edge more.