For freehanders, what stones do you use on your TRADITIONALS?

Sometimes, I'll use a Norton Med. oil stone, followed by a hard Arkansas, then a strop -just for that old school experience. But, I usually use diamond stones and a strop.
 
Having not heard about the coffee cup trick until this morning, i tried it out on my forest jack and am amazed at the results. So excited for my stones to come in.
 
Been a while. Good to see you around. Any new stuff for show-and-tell? Did you go to Blade?

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
Been a while. Good to see you around. Any new stuff for show-and-tell? Did you go to Blade?

- Christian
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Without going too far off topic: Thank you, your friendship is appreciated. No, but maybe in the not too distant future...and no. (I've not gone to Blade since 2011. I hope to regain the passion.)
 
I was taught freehand as a boy by my Grandfather, he started me on axes and wedges on an old foot operated white stone wheel...Here is part of my sharpening accumulation...lately I have been favoring the diamond stones, they are quick and clean, but my favorites are my Norton aluminum oxides ( India stones) and oil...


 
I like and use Arkansas stones for their traditional appeal, but the speed of the DMT's has really opened my eyes....
 
I use Arkansa medium and hard stones and finish/touch up with green compound on a copy paper wrapped box as a strop. Steven
 
I was tought to sharpen by my grandma. She died two years ago at the age of 92.

I almost found my most prefered stones/grits, listed beneath during the years:

- 80 grit scythe stone: Reprofiling, rebeveling and honing out deep chips from an abused blade - a lot of material removement - not so often in use

- 320 grit Indiga Water Stone: My favorite stone, very good result, some knives even get sharp with that one

- 1,000 Arkansas Oil Stone: Finishing and putting on the razor edge on the blade

- strop with or without compound: For finishing the whole process.

... or in case of emergency a coffee mug does a great job, too :D
 
Dmt, sharp maker and a home made strop (rarely). The diamonds are my go to, as I usually have more than one type of knife with me, thus I want the most efficient cutting media. On hikes and camping I carry a Spyderco Duckfoot sharpener- it's versatility make it a great addition.
 
Here is an 8x2 I use in my hand. I hold it in my left and hone with my right.

Its amazing



Here is another hard black that is more coarse, great for a real working edge



I have a TON of translucent stones here is my 10x3



One of my many pocket translucent stones (scattered in different cars and trucks)



Here is my strop. Its old, it was my grandfather's, it was made in Baltimore, one side linen one side horse hide.



I have invested thousands in a Kalamzoo grinder and belts, hundreds in DMT diamonds, hundreds in Edgepro, bought and made a lot of leather loaded strops and I MUCH prefer the experience and results provided by my hard/translucent stones and that old barbers strop.

ETA, the Arkansas stones are all Dan's.
Kevin
 
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It would also benefit the thread to mention I use these stones for 1095, O1, A2, 52100 etc. I do not use them often for any of the high end stainless. I bet more than a few guys on here are using diamond and ceramic with CPM-D2, CPM-154 customs, and as would I.

Kevin
 
richstag said:
Here is an 8x2 I use in my hand. I hold it in my left and hone with my right.

Its amazing



Here is another hard black that is more coarse, great for a real working edge



I have a TON of translucent stones here is my 10x3



One of my many pocket translucent stones (scattered in different cars and trucks)



Here is my strop. Its old, it was my grandfather's, it was made in Baltimore, one side linen one side horse hide.



I have invested thousands in a Kalamzoo grinder and belts, hundreds in DMT diamonds, hundreds in Edgepro, bought and made a lot of leather loaded strops and I MUCH prefer the experience and results provided by my hard/translucent stones and that old barbers strop.

ETA, the Arkansas stones are all Dan's.
Kevin
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Wow! Those are some gorgeous stones! I really want to get a black one day. :)
 
My pocket translucent leaves an awesome edge on my slipjoints.

0ndw.jpg


The leather sleeve also makes a handy strop.

- Christian
 
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