Grit progression

[Bumblingtinkerer]

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to sharpening but I do it fairly well. Yesterday I procured a DMT Extra Fine pocket stone. I came home and used it to great effect. It gave me the sharpest edge I've ever used. Now my question is, we'll I only have two stones. The EF, and a DMT Coarse benchstone. The stones are 350 grit and 1200 grit respectively. Is this too much of a difference for good sharpening? It took me a while to get the 1200 to start cutting my 350 grit edge. Should i attempt to find the DMT Fine (600), and then progress like that? Any help is appreciated, thanks, Lucas.

 

[StevieWunders]

It really boils down to money and time constraints, if there are any. Diamonds have the rather unique ability to bridge large grit gaps because of their aggressive cutting. If you prefer to save time and money, what you have will do nicely. The lower grit will bevel your blade in short order, assuming you're not whittling down Excalibur. The 1200 will put as sharp an edge as is realistically practical on a user blade. You won't be shooting edge porn photos, but you can cut whatever you want within any reason. DMT makes a coarse/fine pocket folder for on-the-go that covers everything short of snapping off the blade. They and others make a whole series of large bench stones, if you wish to expand (and, YES, size DOES matter-regardless of what she told you). You can do fine with what you have or expand to the limits of finance, longevity and sanity. If you choose that path, welcome and may God have mercy upon your soul.

 

[Bumblingtinkerer]

I think I'll just start down the path of not having any money because it's in my knife lol. Thanks man, I was quite curious