Just got my diamond stones, let's talk sharpening and care!

[hardheart]

I use mine dry and just wash it off when done. You can use it wet, do equal strokes per side or work one side completely, edge leading or trailing, push parallel in sections of the edge, drag the entire edge diagonally across, use circular motions, start at the tip or the ricasso, hold the blade steady and file with the sharpener, etc etc.

The only thing you need to be consistent with is the angle, that will save you time. Whatever motion you use, do it until you feel a burr. Then make very light passes until the burr goes away. Then move to the next finer grit and repeat. After some practice, you will stop at smaller and smaller burrs, and have better control over the pressure you apply. Just practice on getting your angle first, DMTs make it easier without having to worry about loading up a lot or dishing out while sharpening.

 

[_habit_]

OK, thanks for clearing that up hardheart, but I have one more question: how much pressure do I apply (and how do I know how much it is that I'm applying)?

 

[hardheart]

I wouldn't use a whole lot, since you're working with finer stones and won't be removing lots of metal each pass. For me it seemed a bit easier to guesstimate about sharpening, because I've spent most of my life working with a variety of tools, and a lot of that work was sanding wood, paint, grinding or filing metal, and the like. If you've done such stuff, just realize you're doing the same thing when sharpening-using an abrasive to remove material to get a desired shape and finish.

It shouldn't take too long to sharpen. If it does, you could be using the wrong grit, not enough pressure, or maybe are just impatient. It really is hard to define exactly what pressure to use, or to measure & translate it readily from one person/technique to another. The better your edge when you start, the less pressure you need (like when doing touch ups to get back a hair popping edge) If you're removing nicks and dents, more pressure and a rougher grit speeds things along. Use as much as you can comfortably while retaining control over the blade, stone, and angle between them.