need advice on new stones

W

william8284

Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
100
I have been following this forum for few weeks and have to say that there is tons of info here. I am looking at getting some new sharping stones just not sure which type. I am currently stationed in South Korea and away from my usual set up, by the way not the worlds greatest but it does a desent job, Thought I packed the DMT diafold but still havnt found it yet that was 6 monthes ago. I am currently stuck with only a cheap smith 5 inch oil stone kit like ones from walmart, and a leather belt with no coumpound. I have managed to get a very good edge on my Benchmade Auto Striker and Case XX trapper however I just recieved one of Charlie may's Lil Friend in D2 and I am not so sure bout that smith stone doing the trick. it took almost a hour for the 154cm on the benchmade. I was wondering if A good set of DMT's from coarse to XX fine or a Set of Japanese water stones would be better for a good setup. I have a DMT diafold in coarse/fine and same from Smith however I have no way to get them for a couple monthes locked in storage. I have no experince at all in waterstones.I am looking for a setup that will sharpen almost anything but at the same time put a great finish on one. My knives are use for hunting,skinnning,and basic daily use. I am not new to free handing by any means just need some advice torn between the DMT and Waterstones, Also what stones would be a good starting set up, I would be thankful of any advice you may offer.I have used oil stones quite a bit but they are aittle slow for the super steels. I have several more knives all of which are either folders or fixed blade skinners except a Sog Seal Pup and Cold Steel Carbon V SRK so when returning to USA will need to use the setup on them as well. How much harder is D2 to sharpen than 154 or ATS-34? The Lil Friend is my first D2 knife. I want larger 8" stones I think
 
Most cheap combo waterstones would be adequate, and wouldn't be duplicating something that you already have. A lot of times I hear the King 1k/6k touted as very useful in similar situations. Not optimal for heavy profiling, of course, but leaves a great finish.

You probably will notice very little difference sharpening the steels mentioned.

Thank you for defending our way of life!
 
myt132-cu said:
Most cheap combo waterstones would be adequate, and wouldn't be duplicating something that you already have. A lot of times I hear the King 1k/6k touted as very useful in similar situations. Not optimal for heavy profiling, of course, but leaves a great finish.

You probably will notice very little difference sharpening the steels mentioned.

Thank you for defending our way of life!
Click to expand...

I am getting very intrested in these waterstones. I am willing to buy several stones. I am not worried bout duplicating the setup I have for the DMT and Smith's diamond stones are fairly small and I am going to put em in my hunting pack and tackle box. I did however forget to mention that upon returning to USA i will try my hand at making a few knives out of cpm 154 and s30v and that also why I am looking at getting new equipment that can make life easier for say.Thanks for the info and you are welcome
 
The short answer;
If you are going to get into waterstones, and are willing to invest in something that will last for just about ever, probably, you would be doing yourself a favor to go straight for the good stuff. Naniwa Choseras are what I use, and I am very happy with them. I would suggest 1k, 2k, and 5k, for starters. If you love them as much as I do, you will probably pick up the 400 and 10k next, which will keep you smiling ad infinitum. You will probably not need anything more.
 
I will have to look in to those. I got bout 250 dollars to spend right now and it burning a hole in the pocket. I am looking to get good stones for sure. I dont like buying stuff twice just get what I need the first time even if I have to wait and get more stones. Will the 10000 get a mirror polish edge or will it still leave a little tooth for slicing. I feel like I still want some teeth to the cut to work for my needs.
 
Do you use a strop? I dont have one yet but I am looking at getting one after the stones. I have always used a belt it does a good job for what I have tried to do but I understand their is no comparison.
 
So I have the stone worked out I think my wife is getting me a norton kit of water stones 220,1000,4000,8000 for my birthday so now what to do with that money that is burning the pocket up. I may just have to get a strop and compound's and thinking the first Murry carter DVD. what would you advise for finishing off that 8000 grit as far as do I need another stone of just go strait to the strop? any suggestions af far as a good strop kit? Thanks for the info you have given me it pushed me to water stones for sure just the wife has a limited budget and need some ideas so I mentioned waterstones this is what she came up with. I got to love her she supports my habits and even going to give me some trail and error knives to sharpen. Humm she doesn't know that they will the trail and error ones though yet opps hope she doesnt read this.She asked me to sharpen her old knives that she has in storage when I get home.
 
Go DMT, waterstones are good if you get good ones but when you talk of tool and CPM steels they are still very slow. For the respective grits the diamond hones will produce the superior edge.
 
I don't know about the Norton stones, but 8k should get you pretty shiny. Most times, it seems like the stone you use before the finish stone is what determines the perceived tooth of an edge. When I go from 3k to 10k I get more tooth. 5k to 10 k leaves less tooth, and more refinement. You can go straight from 4k to the leather for more tooth yet.

I use a leather hone instead of a traditional strop, and I think that's what most people use. Pretty easy to make one, but Hand American has really nice ones. I get my stropping compounds there too. I have diamond sprays of different grits that I use on my fancy hones, and black and green compounds that I use on my homemade hones. Most of the time I just use the homemade ones for finishing and touchup. I guess I feel like saving my fancy ones for special occasions. :)

I have 3"x8" DMT Diasharps in every grit they make, and they work well too. I just like the feel and sound of the Choseras better.
 
Thanks for all the replys once hand american gets there site going I will invest in a hone and compouds going to get the green and black might have to det some diamond spray I have heard great things bout it. I should get the nortons soon till then I have found another way to keep me busy. I am making my first knife out of a old file. I am gonna have lots of time to work on it considering it was the largst file I have a 10 inch bastard now all I have to make it is a couple 6 inch x3/8 bastard it goint to be a long process. I have the intial blade shape now working on the handle profile and edge shape. I cant wait to see how she comes out.
 
My Norton SiC coarse/fine stone works great to sharpen D-2 . Then I strop it (with the green compound) just enough to make certain the burr is removed . This leaves a great edge . DM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top