Finishing waterstone (for edge leading? For Microbevels?)

awestib

awestib

Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
1,647
Hi guys,

this is a post for all you waterstone pros. I am still improving on waterstones, currently use the SPSII 240, 1000 and 3000 grit Chosera. It is still challenging for me to get a really good edge. I have some inexpensive stainless steel kitchen knives, one Japanese Deba knife (not sure what the steel is), one VG10 chef's knife and one in CPM 154.

Instead of using a ceramic rod or spyderco ceramic bench stones (or fine diamond stone) etc. I am looking for a hard, fine waterstone to finish, maybe with a Microbevel. So, I was thinking of one of the Sharpton Glass stones HC ( I don't think I need the HR just yet). Maybe the 4000 or 6000 one? Others? I do not want to use a strop for this particular approach.

Suggestions appreciated!
 
Next step after the Chosera 3k, you could try a Suehiro Rika 5k

Then maybe a Suehiro Junpaku { Snow White } around a 8k grit

or a Kitayama by Imanshi also around 8k
 
I don't think the SR5k would follow the 3k all that well, the Chosera 3k produces a very clean scratch pattern and most stones simply have a hard time following after it. I know my Shapton Pro 5k, Glass 4k and Suehiro Cerax 6k will all distort the polish quality. So, if you have concerns of scratch pattern uniformity I would recommend sticking to the Naniwa brand.

The Glass stones might be hard but I still don't think I would use edge leading strokes, the high angle used for a microbevel would surely gouge the stone. I have never had a problem using edge trailing strokes to set microlevels. I also wouldn't recommend the HC series with the stainless steels you have listed, the HR series would be a much better choice.

Back to Naniwa,

The Snow White is a very nice stone and probably one of the best 8k stones I have used. Its sensitive to its environment though, with good care mine cracked over the whole surface having the look of a dry lake bed. This didn't work so well when it came time to sharpen so I had to toss it out. Naniwa has their newer Traditional 8k that's said to be the updated Snow White but they still produce the original. I found it most useful on Straight Razors. I could go from stone to the hanging strop and in about 20 passes it was smooth shaving. It was also a very fast 8k stone able to handle PM steels with ease.

Other good choices would be the Kitayama and Naniwa Sharpeing series 8k. Though softer, especially the Naniwa, this would actually be good because softer stones allow easier control of the burr.
 
Great, thanks for the info Jason. We have a Japanese Knife store here in Calgary and they have the traditional snow white (T-380) in stock. I will pick one up tomorrow. Thanks again for the input.
 
I have the Suehiro G8, 8k stone that uses Silicon Carbide for the abrasive. Its pretty hard but also very fast and still not too bad for burr formation. I am currently using it following a Zandstra/Foss combination stone (also works great with water) that is rated 380 grit om the fine side IIRC. This 8k can just follow it for edge work - cosmetically it could use a 4k between. It can be used leading or trailing, though is more prone to burring if used trailing for too many passes. I really like this one for microbevel work.

I have the Norton 8k and it backhones a microbevel very effectively. It is (IMHO) the best stone in the set, very forgiving, very reliable across a range of steels.

I have the 8k sold by Suzuki Ya. Its similar in feel to the Norton but much harder. It too can be used with a trailing or leading pass interchangeably. Is a bit more forgiving than the Suehiro. It makes a very nice edge.

I find as long as I keep my microbevel to 2 degrees or so per side I don't get much gouging if any. Trying to go to 5 degrees/side and the softer stones will catch - even some of the harder ones.
 
The Suehiro G8 stone sounds interesting Martin. Thanks for the suggestions. That may also be a great stone for just edge leading finishing passes! Hope all is well!

Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top