Expecting to much from smith sharpening system?

[moredneck]

I bought a basic smith sharpening system and was wondering what kind of sharpness I can expect? It only has a coarse and fine stone.

 

[kevnkar]

I'm no expert but I grew up with Smith's arkansas stones. One soft and one hard and my knives would shave your arms no problem. Of course you can refine an edge much further than that but what you have will give you a really nice working edge.

 

[cschol]

Add a strop and some green compound and you can get a real decent edge..
I have the same set, using edge trailing strokes produces a real nice edge. Be sure you work up a burr on both sides and strop it away. Not too much need for the course but the fine is pretty good.
This is a good read, but may cost some money as you may want to upgrade and try new things.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1014274-What-is-sharpening-a-knife-about

 

[moredneck]

So cschol your saying push the stone from the spine toward the edge?

 

[Bladenoobie1]

I believe those are arkansas stones on the smith sharpening system (are we talking about the trihone?) I used arkansas stones for a good while and they do produce great edges, although I never used them for anything other than carbon steels. They cut slow so you just have to be patient and be sure to work up a burr.

 

[cschol]

So cschol your saying push the stone from the spine toward the edge?

That is correct.

I believe those are arkansas stones on the smith sharpening system (are we talking about the trihone?) I used arkansas stones for a good while and they do produce great edges, although I never used them for anything other than carbon steels. They cut slow so you just have to be patient and be sure to work up a burr.

Ahh yes, I have the diamond set.....cuts carbon fast. S30V and D2 not as fast but gets it done.