Favorite diamond stones or whetstones?

I broke mine in by sharpening junk knives. Cheap-o kitchen knife and folding knife. Blade mules so to speak.

When brand new, they are sharp. Just like sandpaper. The first impression, first use. Doesn't represent the true grit. After it's broken in. Then it becomes more uniform and consistent. Better finish.

With the GBN plates. There's no break needed. That I can tell. The stuff they call a resin. Looks like a high silver, powdered, bronze. One big diamond cookie. It feels like metal, looks like metal.

I haven't noticed a change of grit, breaking in, feeling.
 
If I was starting over I'd go Columbia Gorge resin bonded stones and call it good. I really like em, just ordered another one.
 
I've been hearing mixed reviews about the current DMT dia-sharp stones. I've been considering trying out the UltraSharp 2 x 6 stones as a litmus.
 
SwissHeritageCo said:
I wonder what pocket stone(s) you would choose for those gnarly steels of yours if you found yourself in the field for an extended stay. AEB-L no countey :)
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I know you weren't asking me but the majority of sharpening I do on my higher carbide folders I use the 6x1 Venev resin diamond stones. If I was using just one as a pocket stone out in the field, it would be the F240/F400 dual side from the Alpha Centauri series but I have the F800/F1200 as well for a more refined finish when I want that.
 
chalby said:
I know you weren't asking me but the majority of sharpening I do on my higher carbide folders I use the 6x1 Venev resin diamond stones. If I was using just one as a pocket stone out in the field, it would be the F240/F400 dual side from the Alpha Centauri series but I have the F800/F1200 as well for a more refined finish when I want that.
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I recently grabbed a set of their "Greater Dog" stones (3.9"x1.6") for that purpose. They're great. Also own the full size versions which I love. I'm terrible at sharpening while holding stones in my hand though, so I designed a little sharpening base for them that doubles as a carrying case. Even made a slot in the design to keep a small leather strop loaded with some gunny juice. Came out really nice and can just throw it in my pocket. Tons of pocket sized diamond or CBN stones on the market now so I don't see any reason why one couldn't sharpen up super steels out in the field.
 
While there are certainly reasons for them to exist, I find very fine diamond stones largely unnecessary as far as a "need" is concerned simply because the single biggest advantage of high-vanadium carbide steels is resistance to abrasive wear, and abrasive wear is most experienced in slicing tasks, which benefit from a coarser scratch pattern to begin with. High polish is best for pushing cuts and those aren't as commonly needed in the contexts in which high-vanadium carbide steels have the greatest advantages over other steels.
 
I'm a rookie sharpener, so take this FWIW. My "favorite" kind of depends on what I'm sharpening and why. If I'm totally resetting the edge on a medium-sized kitchen knife, I'll break out my Hapstone, which has diamond plates. If I'm freehanding, and just need a quick edge, I like my UltraSharp diamond plates (300 and 1000, if memory serves). OTOH, if I'm putting an edge back on Dad's pocketknife, I'll probably sit down with either my Arkansas stones or my water stones.
 
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