Recommendation? Freehand for traditionals

[CasePeanut]

I’ve been working on my sharpening with a KME and a Sharpmaker.

I’m starting to get the hang of the systems but eager to move to freehand stones. I mostly have traditionals in carbon, 1095, 420hc and other softer steels. I’m eager to purchase some bench stones and start practicing. Should I go for a Norton combination or Arkansas or something else? What do you think would be best for a freehand newbie?

Edit: my main goal is to take small traditional pocket knives to really low angles (15-24 degrees inclusive) for better whittling. I can already get folders and other larger knives sharp on my guided systems at wider angles.

 

[SV-97]

I've been using naniwas (professionals iirc, the ones with the brown base) from the start and had nothing but a great experience using them. Also got a shapton glass Stone that's been great.

 

[Bull71]

Hi Peanut,

I can’t sharpen as pretty as some but all I’ve ever used is stones. If it’s really dull I start with a Norton India combo stone and then finish on an Arkansas stone. Sometimes I just touch up on Arkansas or if I want a smooth edge just strop on a leather belt.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I’ve been working on my sharpening with a KME and a Sharpmaker.

I’m starting to get the hang of the systems but eager to move to freehand stones. I mostly have traditionals in carbon, 1095, 420hc and other softer steels. I’m eager to purchase some bench stones and start practicing. Should I go for a Norton combination or Arkansas or something else? What do you think would be best for a freehand newbie?

Edit: my main goal is to take small traditional pocket knives to really low angles (15-24 degrees inclusive) for better whittling. I can already get folders and other larger knives sharp on my guided systems at wider angles.

Norton India works real well for the steels mentioned. For small, traditional-sized blades, even the 'Fine' side of the India is fast-working for setting bevels and edge repair. Arkansas stones also work well for such steels at the finishing end. I've liked a 'soft' (or 'medium') Arkansas as a next-step transition from the Fine India (~ 360 - 400 grit), up to something like ~ 600-grit finish. And if you like more polished edges, the translucent and black hard ('surgical') Arkansas stones work well for that. These stones also work very well with low-alloy stainless knives for kitchen use, all similar in composition, hardness and sharpenability to 420HC, 440A, etc. I use my India stone for those, as well.

A Fine Sic stone (like 'Crystolon', etc) can work as well. In a SiC stone, I wouldn't see any need for going any coarser for use on Traditional blades. I have a compact SiC stone from ACE Hardware (4" x 1-3/4" x 5/8", Coarse/Fine) that I sometimes use for quick edge restoration on some of my Traditional knives (Case, Buck, etc). Once broken-in a little bit, the 'Fine' side of that stone leaves a nice, toothy bite on such blades.

I've recently picked up a pocket-sized 'Fine' India stone (4" x 1" x 1/4") for quick touching up of my Traditional knives in CV, 420HC, etc, as I've liked the toothy edge coming off the Fine India. It has proven very handy for exactly duplicating that toothy bite on-the-go, without having to rely on my IB8 (8" Coarse/Fine India bench stone) alone.

I use ALL the above with some mineral oil, as it keeps the stones working without clogging up with swarf. For light touching up, as with the above-mentioned pocket stone, you can use what's handy (water, dish soap, etc), if oil's not immediately available. But I still keep a needle-tip, pocketable oiler handy for use with mine, filled with some of Norton's Sharpening Stone oil (100% USP-grade, food-safe mineral oil). They just work better with the mineral oil.

 

[CasePeanut]

Norton India works real well for the steels mentioned. For small, traditional-sized blades, even the 'Fine' side of the India is fast-working for setting bevels and edge repair. Arkansas stones also work well for such steels at the finishing end. I've liked a 'soft' (or 'medium') Arkansas as a next-step transition from the Fine India (~ 360 - 400 grit), up to something like ~ 600-grit finish. And if you like more polished edges, the translucent and black hard ('surgical') Arkansas stones work well for that. These stones also work very well with low-alloy stainless knives for kitchen use, all similar in composition, hardness and sharpenability to 420HC, 440A, etc. I use my India stone for those, as well.

A Fine Sic stone (like 'Crystolon', etc) can work as well. In a SiC stone, I wouldn't see any need for going any coarser for use on Traditional blades. I have a compact SiC stone from ACE Hardware (4" x 1-3/4" x 5/8", Coarse/Fine) that I sometimes use for quick edge restoration on some of my Traditional knives (Case, Buck, etc). Once broken-in a little bit, the 'Fine' side of that stone leaves a nice, toothy bite on such blades.

I've recently picked up a pocket-sized 'Fine' India stone (4" x 1" x 1/4") for quick touching up of my Traditional knives in CV, 420HC, etc, as I've liked the toothy edge coming off the Fine India. It has proven very handy for exactly duplicating that toothy bite on-the-go, without having to rely on my IB8 (8" Coarse/Fine India bench stone) alone.

I use ALL the above with some mineral oil, as it keeps the stones working without clogging up with swarf. For light touching up, as with the above-mentioned pocket stone, you can use what's handy (water, dish soap, etc), if oil's not immediately available. But I still keep a needle-tip, pocketable oiler handy for use with mine, filled with some of Norton's Sharpening Stone oil (100% USP-grade, food-safe mineral oil). They just work better with the mineral oil.

Thanks Obsessed with Edges ! Gonna try that out. I picked up a an ACE bench stone but I think it is Al Ox. Will try that out and see how it does

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks Obsessed with Edges ! Gonna try that out. I picked up a an ACE bench stone but I think it is Al Ox. Will try that out and see how it does

I have two of theirs in AlOx (6" & 8" bench stones), and they're actually pretty good. Maybe a little finer in finish on the Fine side, than the India. But they do seem to work pretty well in cutting the steel, and shouldn't have any trouble at all with the steels you're sharpening. I think you'll be alright with that one.

 

[Khromo]

I think there are a lot of good choices, that will produce good to great edges, depending on how much time you put into it.

But if you are interested in sitting down in front of a stone and having fun learning to sharpen, get a soft and hard Arkansas stone. Small blades might be okay on 6 x 2's, otherwise get 8 x 2's.

You can feel and hear what is going on with those stones, so it is easier to find your bevel and stay there. The soft cuts slowly enough that your rookie mistakes won't be too destructive. Spending some time with a soft you can reprofile within reason, and get a very respectable edge that will work like a beaver. You can start to cut hair with it, and you can definitely draw blood while trying to cut hair with it.

The hard gets a fine edge that cuts hair easily and shows the beginning of a decent shine, with a little work.

I use water.

Not too expensive, and there is something satisfying about sliding that blade across a rock that was quarried in the U.S.

Finish it off with one of these. No kidding. Don't laugh. I bought one of these, and I liked it so much I bought three more to use as gifts, trade bait, favor currency.

If I had a little more money, I would get a couple or three Shapton Glass Stones. You just squirt a little water on them and they are smooth as the grit allows, really consistent, and they cut faster than anything short of diamonds. They're more durable than diamonds, give a really smooth, consistent surface, and they clean up in seconds.

About $150 for a 1K and a 4K. You can do some fine edges with those stones and some practice.

 

[jc57]

For a full set up for traditionals, if I were starting from scratch, I would go with a Norton IB8 combo India stone, a soft/hard Arkansas bench stone, and a hard leather strop with green compound. Unless you are worried about carrying it in your pocket or pack, I like 8" or bigger bench stones.

Everybody seems to try to come up with some new more clever option than using honing oil, but not me. I use Norton honing oil. Doesn't take much. India stones are pre-loaded, and Arkansas stones are solid rock so they don't absorb it.