Diamond Stone Size?

[Razor]

Should I go with the 6 or 8" long? Mostly will be sharpening folders.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Assuming it's for bench use, get the biggest you can afford, or at least whatever you're willing to slam your credit card with.

You'll never have problems sharpening a small blade on a large bench hone, but trying to sharpen big blades with small hones can be very slow, tedious and/or very awkward. More surface area on the hone will GREATLY speed things up, as they'll remove a lot more metal in each pass.

I've also noticed it's easier to make full, smooth passes on a larger hone. Easier to develop a rhythm this way, and I really believe it translates into better repeatability and consistency. It's easier to maintain a steady angle and pressure on a longer hone. Sometimes that gets harder to do on a very short/small hone, especially in longer sharpening sessions.


David

 

[9blades]

David hit the nail on the head....I started free handing on an old set of lansky (diamond) stones, it sucked, but at least I learned how to keep a consistent angle:thumbup:

 

[Razor]

Thanks David. I will get the 8".

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks David. I will get the 8".

:thumbup:
I have an 8" DMT Duo-Sharp in C/F grit (45/25 micron), and I like it a LOT. Made all the difference in speed, when recently re-bevelling a ZDP-189 blade. I had started that project using a Lansky guided diamond kit, and it was SLOW beyond belief. Hones are just too small. So, I moved it to the 8" Duo-Sharp, and the difference in time spent was night & day.


David

 

[drail]

8 inches (or 10 if you can get one.) Less strokes will reduce the chance of not recovering the same angle with each pass. Besides, you need your kitchen knives having sharp also.