Looking to upgrade

I would seriously recommend taking a good look at the Cold Steel XHP. It may be my all-around favorite steel. It holds an edge very well and is Super easy to sharpen. Freehanding will not be a problem. Most are very budget friendly. My favorite model is the Ultimate Hunter, 2nd is probably drop point Recon 1.
 
GermanyChris said:
I'd take some money now and buy some diamond sharpening stuff, then in a couple months pick up what you actually like rather than what you can fit into you budget right now.
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How about these two stones? Would these work for top end steel? I'd also need something for re-profiling and restoring old badly damaged and abused knives, as well as re-profiling high end steel if needed.

Links removed, read the site rules.
 
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Tacticaltimmy12 said:
That's not a bad idea. I generally prefer water stones or arkansas stones for sharpening, since diamonds are a little rough, but I can't argue that diamonds are the way to go for getting tough super steel under control.
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The more wear resistant you go the more you're going to need diamonds and since diamonds will sharpen what you have now it seems like a no brainer to me. Once the budget has recovered from the sharpening purchase keep an eye on the exchange for a blurple PM2 or Manix they've lost some of their luster since Spyderco has pushed out new sprints. The blurple PM2 is $165 new so you should be able to find one that's friendly to the budget second hand.
 
A few years ago I would have suggested a Kershaw but my tastes have changed and I've fallen deep into the Spydie hole.
So, I'm going to have to say Delica all day long.

If not a Delica, Rat 2 in D2 or shop around and I guarantee you can find a BM Bugout for less than $100.
 
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Spyderco endura/delica/or stretch.

Outstanding knives for the money.

Or wait for a used para 2 to pop up. Typically I’ll see one weekly under $100.
 
GermanyChris said:
The big river is a no-go here

I use the Lansky fixed angle but you can spend less than you found on diamond plates

https://www.bladehq.com/?search=sharpening
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check out venev bonded diamond stones. they make them for lansky, kme, edge pro, hapstone and bench stones in a variety of grits. they are decent for beginners too because the diamond's won't break off or wear out as they are all in an organic epoxy which reveals new diamonds when refreshed. will undoubtedly last a very long time. prices are not too bad. they are imported from Russia and gritomatic is a vendor here that carries them. more info can be seen from Michael Christy and big brown bear on YouTube.

SiC stones are dramatically cheaper and decent for coarse and medium grits.

DMT and atoma are also really great sharpening stones too.
 
Plenty of better steel options out there for that price.

-Blur S30V runs about 75 bucks.
-Manix 2 LW, 90 or so.
-Griptillian or mini grip. around 100.
-Bestech has some good knives at around 50 bucks that have D2.
-Endura/Delica

I'd recommend just keeping an eye on the sale forums here. You'll find a decent bit of good ones on there for cheaper than ebay/retail prices.
 
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