Norton India or DMT Extra fine?

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
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Well, I'm still trying to figure out what would be the best single stone to put a good, finished razor edge on my blades. Not looking for the finest of mirror polishes, just something that will leave me with a very nice, sharp edge on a wide variety of carbon and stainless steel blades.


Currently thinking either the DMT Extra fine 6" bench or Norton's india bench stones. I'll be doing major reprofiling and medium touch-ups on a dual grit carborundum.
Norton India Stone
DMT X-Fine diamond
Or maybe I should look into something like this water stone. I just worry about the mess, as oil stones contain themselves well which I like, but I would imagine a water stone would be a lot messier?

carb_stone.jpg
 
"EF" or X-Fine diamond... Would it be reasonable going from fine carborundum to EF diamond? I'm thinking it should be alright given the cutting ability of diamond and it would be for surface finishing primarily and little if any actual stock removal.
 
I can't speak for the Diamond or India stones. But the waterstones are not messy (in my opinion), at least, not for the shop... but maybe for the dining room table. Depends on where you do your sharpening.

I keep Japanese waterstones in an old Igloo water container full of water. When I take them out (it's been awhile since I now use wet/dry paper for woodworking tools), there's a little water of course, but you wipe that down and set it in a tray. Then just dribble a little water where you're working your edge. They dish easily but flatten just as easily.
 
I do all my work at my desk, so I try to avoid very messy procedures; save them for the garage when I'm over my folks.

Anyways, if I can find the money I think I'm going to go with a set up like this DouSharp.
 
I'm confused by the term "water stone" .The traditional Japanese stones are referred to as water stones ?But the ceramic stones like Spyderco's are also called that ? Abrasives should be classified as type of abrasive -silicon carbide , diamond etc , and the size of the grit. ...In any case the modern high tech steels like S30V do much better with diamond or ceramic. I tend to use diamond for rough sharpening and Spyderco ceramic for final for all steels . Using water is no problem since you just rinse off everything. No oil to wash off.
 
Would those spyder ceramics really give a better finish than a XF diamond? I have many different knives from SAK's to 1095 fixed to my S30V native and I'm trying to strike a balance between sharpening power and refined (but useful) finish.
 
mete said:
I'm confused by the term "water stone" .The traditional Japanese stones are referred to as water stones ?But the ceramic stones like Spyderco's are also called that ? Abrasives should be classified as type of abrasive -silicon carbide , diamond etc , and the size of the grit. ...In any case the modern high tech steels like S30V do much better with diamond or ceramic. QUOTE]

No the Spyderco ceramics are not waterstones. There should be three classification terms if not four, instead of only two as you suggest, but I don't see that happening: Abrasive type, grid size, bond and particle shape.

The term "waterstones" refers to one of three different type bonds: clay, resin, or ceramic, however a ceramic waterstone bond is very different from the bond in a Spyderco ceramic type stone. All three bond types are very porous and will release abrasive during sharpening when used with water. The ceramic bond is the hardest, has the least "feel" but will last the longst. Clay is intermediate in hardness and feel. It has the drawback that it might feel a bit "slimy" in particular in the fine grits, like you would expect from clay. Resin bonded stones are usually the softest and have the best or most natural feel. They tend to wear pretty fast though and many find them too soft. There are even diamond waterstones. They are very expensive though.
Click to expand...
 
Well, I just placed an order for a pair of 6" DMT benchstones in wooden cases; one fine one Extra Fine. $75 shipped total!
 
HoB, thanks for the clarification .I'll stick to the Spyderco type ceramic and diamond and rinse them both with water.
 
Yeah I saw those, but I really wanted a full size (height too) benchstone. I just find them much easier to work with; less knuckle issues. Besides, $35/per stone with free shipping ain't something to laugh at IMHO.
 
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