Diamond Sharpners vs. Others

J

Joseph Loveland

Joined
Jul 9, 2013
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134
Since I've been using a Smith Diamond Precision Sharpening Kit and it has a 20 & 25 degree guide. My question is this, What is the preferred method? Using a Diamond Sharpening system, a Wetstone syatem, or an Arkansas Stone system (like my Grandpa used), which one do you favor and why?
 
I'm trying to relearn freehand sharpening after years of using a Sharpmaker and various guided-rod methods. Some of my blades are D2 and S30V, and rather dull when I got them, so forced to use diamond stones; otherwise I think I prefer Nortons and Arkansas stones. The diamond seems to eat up my carbon steel way too fast.
 
Arkie_in_Texas said:
The diamond seems to eat up my carbon steel way too fast.
Click to expand...

That is what happens when we bring ice cream home from the store at my house. Of course it is not the fault of Blue Bell Creameries, it is my fault for over eating the stuff. If you use the diamond stones in moderation and with a light touch, they will not eat up your carbon steel. It is not the stone that eats up your blade too fast, it is the operators procedure in not using the stone properly. Yes, I will agree that diamond stones are over kill for 1095 and like steel, but so is a 500 horsepower engine in a Mustang. Yet it will get you to the store to buy more Blue Bell if you need it to. If you own some diamond stones, don't throw them out just because they may be overkill for some of your knives. Learn how to make do with what you have. As Judy Tanuta (sp) used to say, "It can happen". :D:D

Blessings,

Omar
 
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OHALLUM can you advise on a decent stone that won't break the bank? I love the use of a stone vs. diamond stone, but with my income I have ta go with what I can aford. I used ta have the Arknsas Stones and loved them, but where they are today, who really knows. I do use the diamond stones and I wasn't aware of the damage they can cause.
Any information or advise on what I can use will be appreciated. I am hoping ta add a stropping system, but there again I have ta wait until my financial situation allows.
 
You can get a Norton combination stone from home depot, or Lowe's for about $25 or so. It is coarse on one side and fine on the other. It is as close as you can get to an old Arkansas stone for the price. For a strop, you can use an old leather belt or the side of a leather boot. Or just strop on your jeans. You can get by without using any compound. My grandfather never had a strop or any compound, he just used his boot to strop on, and you could shave arm hair with any of his knives.

Bottom line is to make do with what you have until you can afford to upgrade to something else. Believe me, whatever you are cutting won't know if you sharpened your knife with the bottom of a borrowed coffee cup, or the latest $700 whisbang sharpener. Good luck and enjoy your knife.

Blessings

Omar
 
For a good, all around stone that is reasonably priced and high quality, the Shapton Glass Stone, at 500 grit would be my choice.

Yes, it's just a bit more expensive than the "K-Mart Blue Light Special," but it's top quality at a very reasonable price. $50 for a tool that will last a life time and provide top quality results is a bargain in my value system.
 
I appreciate the advice. I'll check and see if I still have any of my old belts around as well as see if my old boots are still here. Ya gave me a lot of good pointers and advice. Thanks again OHALLUM.
Joseph
 
OHALLUM said:
You can get a Norton combination stone from home depot, or Lowe's for about $25 or so. It is coarse on one side and fine on the other. It is as close as you can get to an old Arkansas stone for the price. For a strop, you can use an old leather belt or the side of a leather boot. Or just strop on your jeans. You can get by without using any compound. My grandfather never had a strop or any compound, he just used his boot to strop on, and you could shave arm hair with any of his knives.

Bottom line is to make do with what you have until you can afford to upgrade to something else. Believe me, whatever you are cutting won't know if you sharpened your knife with the bottom of a borrowed coffee cup, or the latest $700 whisbang sharpener. Good luck and enjoy your knife.

Blessings

Omar
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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Omar is right on the money. And I love the way you put it, Omar, what is being cut won't know what the knife was sharpened on. I've gotten razor edges on the bottom of a big old coffee mug and stropping on the back of an old Dickies work belt. The sharpening media doesn't make one bit of difference, it's the person doing the sharpening. Develop good technique free hand and you will be able to sharpen anywhere, anytime. Use a coffee mug, a smooth rock from a stream, a piece of brick, it all works. I don't think a Roman Legionnaire touching up his gladius or the Crusader sharpening up his sword the night before attacking and taking Jerusalem had Sharpmakers, Edge pro's norton stones or Eze-Lap hones.

Work with a coffee mug for a while, and develop a feel for it, and just buy a decent Norton stone at Lowes or Home Depot for a modest price. You'll always have a sharp knife, anywhere and anytime.

Carl.
 
Thanks jacknife, I've not only have the Diamond stone system with the guide, I've also got a Diamond stone, brand unknown, with a Course on one side and a Fine on the other. Plus, I've got a Coure WtStone that stays with my Air Force Survival knife that I've carried all over this old World. Never was good at free hand but here lately I've been getting better at it to a small degree. I keep in it's sheath in my desk drawer in of my Office Desk. I guess ya can say I've grown ta where I can't toss it yet. I'd just like ta get better at free hand sharpening but what I've done read throughout this BadeForums I've learned more than I already knew. Thanks ta everyone for the tips and advice.
 
The steels of ye ole castle warriors were not as complex as those of today. So, they could be sharpened on most anything. Still, we need to learn technique and we do need at least a Norton combination India stone for many of today's steels or they just won't get sharp. DM
 
Old skool Arkansas stones were cool back in the day.....and now, with steels that are way beyond what we could have ever imagined, they are all but worthless. Go ahead, and stroke a ZDP-189 on an Arkansas stone, let me know how that works out. LOL. As Omar has put it so well, diamond stones are so agressive, you just have to give it a gentle touch. Water stones, and India stones offer other options for other steels as well. YMMV

Edit: I take it back a little. An Arkansas stone, will polish a blade a bit, but you are not going to bring back a dull knife, and EVER reprofile one.
 
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