Good sharpening stones for beginner?

[luisdent]

Pop down to your local hardware shop, head into the aisle for sharpening stones, grab a double sided coarse/fine one.

Really there's not much magical in the stone. If you have the right technique you can get a good working edge on the side of a brick. I used to worry a bit, but really sharpening just involves setting your angle, locking your wrist, and rubbing on the stone till you get a burr on the other side of the edge, flipping over and doing the same. You can clean the edge by dragging it through a cork, or a couple of strokes on a leather belt, or just don't worry about it, any remaining burr will come off when you cut with it for the first time. I use stones with water or dry myself, it's less messy than oil.

I've checked all the knife stores and hardware stores and they only have expensive single diamond stones. I know people can get a nice edge with random things. I even saw a video of a survival guy sharpening his knife with the rim of a car window. But aren't those less reliable and convenient methods? Lol

I just want a simple stone solution that can get my knife as sharp as I described. I've read through a lot of the forum, but everyone has a different method and wants their knives different sharpness levels. I can't seem to determine what level of grit is appropriate for my situation.

If I got a water stone would a 600/800 grit be good for bringing my knife to utility sharpness and then a 1500-2000 for refining the edge so it shaves and lasts longer? Would I need to strop it for any reason to make the edge hold better? Or would it just further sharpen it? Or is that necessary to get shaving sharp?

 

[sandraTEx]

Here are some of the best sharpening stones for you. Let's check. Sharpening stones, water stones or whetstones are used to grind and hone the edges of steel tools and implements. Honing stones arrived in an extensive variety of shapes, sizes and material structures. Stones might be level, for working level edges, or formed for more mind boggling edges, for example, those related with some wood cutting or woodturning devices. They might be made out of characteristic quarried material, or from man-made material.

1. DMT WM8EF-WB 8-Inch Duo Sharp Plus Bench Stone
2. King Two Sided Sharpening Stone with Base - #1000 & #6000
3. Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener
4. Smith's 50008 8-Inch Diamond Tri-Hone Bench Stone
5. Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone

Thank you.