First Time Sharpener's Grocery List

M

MPE

Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
617
I have decided that I am going to spend my money on DMT Dia-Sharp Stones and not a Sharpmaker or EdgePro.I am going to practice on some cheap pcs. as not to ruin my good ones. I am getting a 6in course,6in fine and 6in x-fine.Is there anything else I will need to be set?


Thanks, MPE
 
Two strops mounted in a rigid surface. One plain and one loaded with abrassive coumpound.

Leon Pugh
 
Leon, You will have to excuse my ignorance but is this in conjunction with the DMTs or in place of.Can you give me a more detailed outline?


Thanks Leon.Pugh


MPE
 
Can anyone recommend a real good video that shows technique, etc. etc.?

MPE
 
Its best to have somebody who knows show you the basics, this way they can tell you if your doing something grossly incorrect. But basically just practice, you'll get it. The trick is to always inspect the edge before, during, and after sharpening so you see what different movements do to the blade. Eventually you'll get it down to a "feel" and won't have to think about it so much.
 
If you get the edge pro apex buy the vidio also it is very imformative, if you buy the pro it comes with it.
 
If you are just learning, you should probably practice on a norton fine india stone. More forgiving than a diamond. Diamond hones are better suited for coarse work.

It will take a lot of practice to get in the groove, and an india stone is cheap and will last forever. More practice for your money, and it is capable of sharpening about any knife to perfection. Plus you won't wear out your diamond hone, or all your knife blades practicing.

I've used the DMT hones quite a bit and like them, but they do take off a lot of metal, and they will wear out eventually. I've tried all sorts of stuff, but mainly I use the india stone for most jobs. If you get the 8" combo india, you can use the coarse side for heavy work too. If you learn on that, you will be able to do awesome work on a diamond stone, but learning on the diamond can make you think you are doing real good when maybe you aren't.
 
Some very good advice here. I think DMT's are a great place to start. And later if you ever want to give waterstones a try (I recommend you do), you'll have something that works great to keep them flat.

If I only have diamond stones to sharpen with, I will always strop as a final step loading the strop with 1,3,6 or 10 micron diamond paste mixed with handamericans gel CrO2.
 
Good choice,I love DMT stones. I am on my second set, My first set wandered away while I wasn`t looking. P{ractice with a cheap high carbon blades (Old timers, by Schrade are good) They are less frustrating to learn on than harder steel , like ats34. It may take awhile to learn the right angles, but be patient.
 
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