Need new stone for Edgepro that will cut "super steel" quickly

FlaMtnBkr · Jun 20, 2012

I have an Edgepro that hardly ever gets used because the stock stones are so slow to reprofile newer stainless "super" steels. Most of my user knives use wear resistant steels like S90V, M4, M390, ZDP, etc and they just about all need a good sharpening which I have been putting off because it takes so long. So I am looking for some stones that will fit the Edgepro and make quicker work of those types of steel. I figure I might be able to get away with just 1 or 2 of the coarser stones but not sure. The only problem is that I can't spend too much money on them. I am disabled and can't work and just can't afford much. Are the Congress tool stones fast cutting? Because they are reasonably priced and I could probably get a whole set. If so, which ones are the ones to get? I know there are the Chosera and other high end stones but I just can't afford $60 for one stone. If there is something that just works better than the rest I guess I can save up for a while but I don't know if I would be wiling to get an entire set of something very expensive. I can't remember the last time I bought a knife but at this point I want my users sharp more than a new knife.

So does anyone have any suggestions that might work for me? Thanks!

BluntCut MetalWorks · Jun 20, 2012

If I need to outfit my EP with supersteel cutters, I would mount a modified DMT 6x2" XC/F. Get both stones for $50.

Komitadjie · Jun 21, 2012

The DMTs work, as do the Atoma plates.

Ken Schwartz actually just introduced a line of diamond lapping films on blanks for the EP that are developing a very good reputation and are quite inexpensive.

IUKE12 · Jun 21, 2012

For just a few dollars Congress stones work great. I have used Ruby in 80 and 120 grit to re-profile more than a few sharpened pry bars and they cut to the chase quick with little wear.

spydusse · Jun 21, 2012

120 grit stone . It sells for 20 bucks on their website. The stone does wear though

gomipile · Jun 21, 2012

I think Ankerson got some silicon carbide stones for his Edge Pro a while back. From personal experience with Norton bench stones, silicon carbide is a very good abrasive to use for high alloy steels.

Gunsnknives · Jun 21, 2012

+1 for the EP Stock 120 stone. I have reprofiled blades in all the 4 steels you have mentioned there with great results.

The other stones are probably great too, but for $20 the stock stone is worth a try.

FlaMtnBkr · Jun 24, 2012

Thanks for the replies.

Any idea where the silicone carbide and diamond lapping film come from? Also, is the lapping film very coarse? Everything I have seen is fine.

I have the stock stones and they don't seem very fast. It takes me a couple hours to reprofile and I almost never get out all the scratches from previous grits. I pulled apart a cheap diamond sharpener and it worked great for a couple knives and then the diamonds wore off enough that it now cuts slow as well. Guess I'm worried a DMT will do the same thing.

TriviaMonster · Jun 24, 2012

Ankerson uses Congress Tools Moldmaster stones or something like that. I bought 4 in 220 grit and 4 in 320. They cut very well. Mine are also the Congress Tools Moldmasters. They are about $3.50 a piece. Seriously, they are dirt cheap and work great on the super steels I have tried including M390, ELMAX, ZDP-189 and CPM M4. The stock EP stones can't compare, not even close to as fast as these and these wear about like my 1000 grit Chosera if not slower than that which is amazing.

loonybin · Jun 25, 2012

FlaMtnBkr said:
Are the Congress tool stones fast cutting? Because they are reasonably priced and I could probably get a whole set. If so, which ones are the ones to get? I know there are the Chosera and other high end stones but I just can't afford $60 for one stone. If there is something that just works better than the rest I guess I can save up for a while but I don't know if I would be wiling to get an entire set of something very expensive. I can't remember the last time I bought a knife but at this point I want my users sharp more than a new knife.

So does anyone have any suggestions that might work for me? Thanks!

The Congress Tools MoldMaster stones are silicon carbide and the 120 and 240 cut much better than the stock EP stones. In fact, the MoldMaster 240 seems to cut better than the 120. Don't bother with the 600, as it is too soft. Not sure about the 400 as I haven't used it yet.

FlaMtnBkr said:
Thanks for the replies.

Any idea where the silicone carbide and diamond lapping film come from? Also, is the lapping film very coarse? Everything I have seen is fine.

Go to CKTG and look at their EP selection. The diamond plates come in micron sizes from 165micron all the way to 0.5 or 0.1 micron (and everywhere in between). My 30micron diamond plate just arrived today, so I plan on putting it to the test on my Benchmade 581 (M390 steel) this week.

I pulled apart a cheap diamond sharpener and it worked great for a couple knives and then the diamonds wore off enough that it now cuts slow as well. Guess I'm worried a DMT will do the same thing.

You were pressing to hard. With diamond, let the weight of the sharpener do the work, or else you'll dislodge the diamond particles from the bonding medium.