DMT stones, polka dot or un-interrupted?

[warden41272]

Always go with the solid DMT sharpeners instead of the interrupted, polka-dot, versions. In my experience, they cut better, but that might just be me. I did pay a lot less, though, for the solid plate, rather than the polka-dot bench stone, so that might sway your decision. As to Jeff Clark's post about using the belt grinder, I have to agree, to an extent. No way would I use it for sharpening a good hunting or folding knife, but it works great for doing a bunch of kitchen knives quick. Just make sure you don't burn the blades...it's very easy to do with a belt.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I've got an old Delta belt sander something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/069554004469_4.jpg
I took off the disk sander and I tip the belt frame up into the vertical position. I use it with my edges pointing up against the belt running down. I would use it on pretty much anything. On a fine knife I wouldn't use anything coarser than a 220 grit belt. The problem with a 4-inch wide sander is that the belt can drag pretty hard on your blade and cause it to shift. If you use a coarse belt the blade is harder to control and mistakes remove material fast. A 1-inch or 2-inch belt gives less drag, but isn't as handy for sharpening a shovel or a brush hook.

A 320 grit belt on the sander is less likely to mar your blade than a coarse diamond hone. That is because you simply hold the blade still against the sander and it is easier to do a neat job. A 320 grit belt also leaves a smoother finish than a coarse diamond hone.

I have numerous hones for final edge finishing. Most commonly I use a water stone or two and then my Sharpmaker. Lately I've been experimenting with stropping on photopaper loaded with submicron grit diamond paste.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

A 320 grit belt on the sander is less likely to mar your blade than a coarse diamond hone.

The big issues I have are maintaining the curvature of the blade, getting a nice sweep under the tip, and keeping the tip very sharp. Because of the spee of metal removal it doesn't take much to flatten a curve or lose a tip.

-Cliff