In the market for a new benchstone

S

shady A.M.

Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
654
I’m ready to upgrade my benchstones. Currently been relying on a DMT Duo Sharp 10” fine/super fine and a 6” DMT coarse for edge repairs. Most of my sharpening involves kitchen knives so I prefer 10” stones. I also sharpen all my folders as well, just not as frequently as the kitchen knives.

I’ve been looking at the Naniwa diamond whetstones. Anybody have any experience?

Also, I have read that these are pretty good: https://www.practicalsharpening.com/benchstones1
 
shady A.M., from my experience the DMT stones you have should work well for what you need them to do. I'm not familiar with every sharpening stone out there but I'd be hard-pressed to give you a substantially better recommendation than what you're already using. I prefer more coarse, toothy, edges but that is just a matter of personal preference.

Why do you feel these stones aren't working for you and what do you hope to gain by "upgrading"?
 
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not trying to cause any problem just wondering ... I would also be curious as to what you consider an upgrade over a 10" DMT ? ... what kinds of steels are you wanting to sharpen? ... and what about the DMTs is it that you don't like ... and feel you need or want an upgrade?

or what characteristics would you look for or consider an upgrade in a different stone?
 
What are your kitchen knives?

As already asked, what are you after?

For my kitchen knives, which generally range in the low-carbide, 56-58HRC range, with one BD1N at 63HRC, I really like an Ultra Sharp diamond 300, Norton India Fine, or Arkansas Soft. Depends on the knife but my default for the kitchen, while I know many will have other preferences and in the steels I like in the kitchen, I go to a soft Arkansas. It has to be a task-specific knife for me to deviate. I've played around a lot lately and just find I like using a soft Ark and I like the edge it gives.
 
Not causing any problems guys. Appreciate the input. I used the “search” function this morning and did some extensive reading on the Naniwa diamond stone. Definitely, not for my purposes.

I have a full set of Globals and three nice Shun Kais in VG-10. I’m not sure on the steel of the Globals. I think most of them are GIN-1 or 2 steel. My spouse is a culinary expert, so they get a lot of use and abuse in the kitchen. My person EDCs tend to be Spydercos, so it is M390, LC200N, XHP, S90V, etc.

The DMT stones have been working well but I’ve been using them for about 7-8 years. Reprofiling, repairing, general sharpening, and learning how to sharpen. They are starting to show their wear, particularly in the corners. Basically, I looking for a good set to have that I can repair an edge, maintain an edge and polish an edge if needed.

Skill wise, I’m fairly/pretty good at repairing and maintaining an edge to shaving sharp at grits below 1200. Beyond that, I have had difficulty polishing and stropping. Reading some of the stickied posts on stropping have been really informative.

A few years ago I tried my hand at straights. Practiced with a old straight, repaired one, and had a very nice shave ready one. I invested in a Norton, 4000/8000 and a 12000 stone. They were nice but it took more time than I was willing to spend to maintain my razors on an annual basis. They are also too fine for working knives, IMO. I’m not a total newb to water/whetstones, just looking for what might be a good starter set.
 
shady A.M. said:
Not causing any problems guys. Appreciate the input. I used the “search” function this morning and did some extensive reading on the Naniwa diamond stone. Definitely, not for my purposes.

I have a full set of Globals and three nice Shun Kais in VG-10. I’m not sure on the steel of the Globals. I think most of them are GIN-1 or 2 steel. My spouse is a culinary expert, so they get a lot of use and abuse in the kitchen. My person EDCs tend to be Spydercos, so it is M390, LC200N, XHP, S90V, etc.

The DMT stones have been working well but I’ve been using them for about 7-8 years. Reprofiling, repairing, general sharpening, and learning how to sharpen. They are starting to show their wear, particularly in the corners. Basically, I looking for a good set to have that I can repair an edge, maintain an edge and polish an edge if needed.

Skill wise, I’m fairly/pretty good at repairing and maintaining an edge to shaving sharp at grits below 1200. Beyond that, I have had difficulty polishing and stropping. Reading some of the stickied posts on stropping have been really informative.

A few years ago I tried my hand at straights. Practiced with a old straight, repaired one, and had a very nice shave ready one. I invested in a Norton, 4000/8000 and a 12000 stone. They were nice but it took more time than I was willing to spend to maintain my razors on an annual basis. They are also too fine for working knives, IMO. I’m not a total newb to water/whetstones, just looking for what might be a good starter set.
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You might find some benefits to some simple waterstone for your kitchen knives but you will want to stick to diamond abrasives for your folders as they are a mix of high alloy steels. The Ultrasharp plates are really good but DMT is among the best so I'm not sure how much you can actually upgrade.
 
shady A.M. said:
Yep, after reading some reviews on the Cerax, I decided to order a 310/800 and 1000/3000 combo stones. Was thinking I could use my DMT coarse stone for flattening.
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Per DMT that's a no. Only the lapping plates and XXC are to be used for lapping.

FYI, from experience do yourself a favor and get an Atoma 140 and use it just for lapping.
 
Jason B., what is your best recommendation (excluding loose, particulate grinding or lapping grit) for lapping coarse (around 120 grit) silicon carbide stones?

Thank you...
 
MtnHawk1 said:
Jason B., what is your best recommendation (excluding loose, particulate grinding or lapping grit) for lapping coarse (around 120 grit) silicon carbide stones?

Thank you...
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I don't know of anything that would work beside loose abrasive. Silicon carbide stones are not the easiest to lap.
 
Mr.Wizard said:
I believe HeavyHanded HeavyHanded uses a diamond disk intended for grinding stone slab and describes it as being very durable. I cannot remember the brand.
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I picked up an 8"diameter 180 mesh from Kinglsey North for less than $60. It has flattened a bunch of stones including Crystalon, India, Spyderco ceramic, even used it to facet a big chunk of quartz. It still works fine - get a lapidary plate, not one that was intended for sharpening.
 
HeavyHanded said:
I picked up an 8"diameter 180 mesh from Kinglsey North for less than $60. It has flattened a bunch of stones including Crystalon, India, Spyderco ceramic, even used it to facet a big chunk of quartz. It still works fine - get a lapidary plate, not one that was intended for sharpening.
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Thanks! That looks like just what I need!

I think you have mentioned this before. I should have written a note to myself then, as a reminder, and put it on my desk, which I did this time.

I went on the Kingsley North website. Should I get the 8" diamond disc with backing plate or would just the 8" diamond top plate (adhesive or non-adhesive) be enough? I'm not familiar with these or lapidary terms. They also sell a 12" diamond disc with no hole for under $50.

Also, is the 180 mesh enough to flatten 100-120 grit silicon carbide or should I go lower? The lowest grit I found for these discs is 60.

Thank you....
 
MtnHawk1 said:
Thanks! That looks like just what I need!

I think you have mentioned this before. I should have written a note to myself then, as a reminder, and put it on my desk, which I did this time.

I went on the Kingsley North website. Should I get the 8" diamond disc with backing plate or would just the 8" diamond top plate (adhesive or non-adhesive) be enough? I'm not familiar with these or lapidary terms. They also sell a 12" diamond disc with no hole for under $50.

Also, is the 180 mesh enough to flatten 100-120 grit silicon carbide or should I go lower? The lowest grit I found for these discs is 60.

Thank you....
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I use my 8" 180 mesh for everything. On some of my stones (the Juuma ones to be precise) I still use my old DMT XXC for speed's sake, but I've used the 180 for literally everything. On my SIC stones I prefer to use 60 grit SiC powder and an old washita stone, but it has flattened one no problem - just have to rinse often.

The 8" has been plenty for me. Mine came bonded to a disk with the 1/2" arbor hole. For the $ if I were to do it again I'd probably get a 60 and 180 without plate and mount them on opposite sides of a disk, never have to think about it again.
 
MtnHawk1 said:
Thanks! That looks like just what I need!

I think you have mentioned this before. I should have written a note to myself then, as a reminder, and put it on my desk, which I did this time.

I went on the Kingsley North website. Should I get the 8" diamond disc with backing plate or would just the 8" diamond top plate (adhesive or non-adhesive) be enough? I'm not familiar with these or lapidary terms. They also sell a 12" diamond disc with no hole for under $50.

Also, is the 180 mesh enough to flatten 100-120 grit silicon carbide or should I go lower? The lowest grit I found for these discs is 60.

Thank you....
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I didn't see the 12". Can you point me to it without using a link - description maybe?

HeavyHanded said:
I use my 8" 180 mesh for everything. On some of my stones (the Juuma ones to be precise) I still use my old DMT XXC for speed's sake, but I've used the 180 for literally everything. On my SIC stones I prefer to use 60 grit SiC powder and an old washita stone, but it has flattened one no problem - just have to rinse often.

The 8" has been plenty for me. Mine came bonded to a disk with the 1/2" arbor hole. For the $ if I were to do it again I'd probably get a 60 and 180 without plate and mount them on opposite sides of a disk, never have to think about it again.
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Can you glue a 60 grit to the back of the plate you have with the 180 attached? This is such a great idea. Who would have thought to use stone flattening tools to flatten our stones!

This place has a nice selection of diamond compound sprays and paste as well.
 
David Richardson said:
I didn't see the 12". Can you point me to it without using a link - description maybe?
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kingsleynorth.com Then do a search for Crystalite 12 in. Diamond Disc. It should pop up underneath. Price is $46.34. The drop-down menu under "Grit Size" says "Flexible Plated Lap" and "Flexible Resin Lap", but I don't know what either of those terms mean.

HeavyHanded, thank you very much! :thumbsup:
 
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