Next Stone(s) question

greentrout

greentrout

Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
663
Been learning and taking things in on the board for a while now. Always carried a pocket knife around, but have really gotten into them a little more in the last 6 months or so. Had always used a pull through sharpener because I didn't know any better. In these last few months, I purchased a Norton Crystalon combo stone and have been practicing with it. I'm satisfied with the results I'm getting (though I know I still need lots of practice), but I'm looking to get a stone or two to get a little more refined edge. I'm not looking to get super polished edges, just good working edges for edc and small fixed blades.

I'm trying to decide what makes the most sense.
1. Norton Fine India Bench stone plus Dan's Hard Arkansas bench stone - this is what I'm leaning towards.
2. Norton Combo India Medium and Soft Arkansas - concerns here are that the India Medium and my Fine Crystalon are basically the same. Also, not sure the Soft Arkansas would give me results much better than a fine India.
3. Or should I skip the Arkansas stone and just use my current stone plus a Fine India stone?

TIA
 
A soft Arkansas would be a nice step up from the fine side of the Crystalon or fine India stone. As long as you don't have high alloy/carbide content steels that would be a good way to go. Something like a medium Spyderco bench stone would work well in that progression too.
 
Is the jump from the fine Crystalon to a soft Arkansas not too big?

Most of my knifes are carbon steel (1095, CV, Opinel). Do have some Case true sharp and a knife in Cr13 as well. Nothing too hard I don't believe.
 
greentrout said:
Is the jump from the fine Crystalon to a soft Arkansas not too big?

Most of my knifes are carbon steel (1095, CV, Opinel). Do have some Case true sharp and a knife in Cr13 as well. Nothing too hard I don't believe.
Click to expand...

No, that's a good jump, and on those steels the soft Arkansas will make a great edge.
 
No1up said:
How about the washboard?
Click to expand...


Didn't sound like he was looking for ground up recommendations, but yes the Washboard (link thru my signature for a full description of the board and the kit) makes a great follow on to the Crystalon and as a stand alone in its own right. In fact using it with a SiC stone is one of my favorite combinations. This video shows it with a cut down board, the actual board works the same or better - its a lot bigger and has a better mounting system for the substrates.

[video=youtube;DF2Y7Hha0MQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF2Y7Hha0MQ[/video]


Well worth a look, the kit will take you from coarse to a bright finish or any finish between depending on what you're after. Is great for learning/reinforcing freehand as well. Progressions are easy, lots of surface area, very efficient and economical. Am also upgrading the stock compound with material that has 8 carats of diamond added to the basic formula (haven't updated the website yet) - tackles any steel out there and does it well.

Martin
 
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