Do you need a different stone for S30V?

M

mastiffhound

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
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All of my stones are probably from the 70's and 80's and have worked well enough for the cheap steel knives I bought in the past (even my AUS8 SOGs) but a little reading has made me wonder if they are tough enough for S30V. I don't have to sharpen my PM2 or Manix 2 yet but my Delica with VG-10 was a pain, I noticed the grit built up real fast with all of them from medium to fine stones. I also couldn't get it as sharp as my previous junkers. I couldn't tell you who made them as the boxes were lost long ago.

I'm thinking of just getting a Sharpmaker or Work Sharp but I wanted to know if I needed diamond rods for my Spyderco Knives? Do I need ultra fine stones also? As always, thanks for the help!
 
Spyderco ceramic stones will work, also Chosera/Shapton/Sigma Power.
Diamond stones will work with any steel.
 
The stock medium and fine stones with the Sharpmaker work great on S30V (and a number of other steels). I've used them a fair amount to touch ups. The ultra fine stones will let you refine the edge that much more. You don't really "need" the ultra fine stones, but you can get some really keen edges using them. ;)

I'd recommend some diamond stones if you need to re-profile or do any significant amount of re-sharpening though. Personally, I use diamond benchstones for that type of work, but the Sharpmaker diamond stones (or the CBN ones) should also work well.
 
With the stones that come with the Sharpmaker can I get the S30V back to "factory" sharp or do I need the ultra fine stone for that? I'm not looking for scalpel sharp but how they came from the factory is about perfect. Oh, I almost forgot but I did get my Delica sharper. I used my super fine cloth buffing wheel on my grinder. It's still not as sharp as I like but it's closer than my old stones could get it.
 
mastiffhound said:
With the stones that come with the Sharpmaker can I get the S30V back to "factory" sharp or do I need the ultra fine stone for that? I'm not looking for scalpel sharp but how they came from the factory is about perfect. Oh, I almost forgot but I did get my Delica sharper. I used my super fine cloth buffing wheel on my grinder. It's still not as sharp as I like but it's closer than my old stones could get it.
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When you get the edge right you can get it much sharper than factory sharp with a fine stone. An ultra fine stone will polish it well beyond a factory edge. The important thing is your edge geometry and a smooth consistent edge.
 
You will not regret purchasing the ultra fine rods for the sharp maker, they work really well.
 
The Sharpmaker should work well for your Para 2. with the med. and fine stones supplied to maintain as sharp or better than new.
The factory bevel on mine was shallow at the belly on one side and after a couple years of use was
becoming difficult to sharpen to my liking.
With some advise picked up here, and some diamond rods and a fair amount of time I got it straightened out...
I did also get the ultra fine rods and a strop to try squeak out a little extra.
The Sharpmaker has served me pretty well.
 
Get yourself a sharpmaker. The fine stones can take an edge well into the stupid sharp range. Much sharper than factory. I have the uf rods but rarely use them unless I'm just playing around trying to get novelty edges. S30v will whittle hair off even the medium stones so it's hard to say that the uf stones are really necessary. They are fun though so if you are into "sticky" edges then go for it. :)

On the other hand, I would consider the diamond or CBN rods a must for the sharpmaker. That's how you will keep your edge profiles in good shape and they will ultimately have a much greater effect on final sharpness of your edges than the uf rods. They will also save you hours of frustration trying to repair edges and bevels with the medium stones which are much too fine for that work. Enjoy the sm and enjoy the ridiculous edges you will soon be sporting. :)
 
Sharpmaker is really good for this steel. But I would also suggest the DMT Dia paste the 3 pack will take you to the next level in mirror polished edges. I strop on cardboard. But you can use lots of other surfaces
 
1Ronin said:
Sharpmaker is really good for this steel. But I would also suggest the DMT Dia paste the 3 pack will take you to the next level in mirror polished edges. I strop on cardboard. But you can use lots of other surfaces
Click to expand...

Cardboard? Do you use it just like a leather strop? I've heard of people using coffee cups, never tried it myself though. I might have to try cardboard if you can direct me in how it's done.
 
Yeah just like a leather strop load some of the dis paste on the card board works like a charm You can also put the paste on an old belt, or even on balsa wood if you don't have a razor strop to use.
 
DMT corse
Spyderco med
Spyderco fine
Spyderco ultra fine
Knifeworks preloaded strop
=
Mirror bevels and hair splitting edges!!!!!
 
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