Sharpening, diamonds needed?

R

rachet197

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Jul 16, 2011
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The title explains I think, are diamonds needed to sharpen well?
Benefits to sharpening with diamonds?

BTW I am asking so I can decide about what Lansky set to get!!!

THX in advance!
 
I don't know about Lansky brand stuff, but diamonds are not necessary for sharpening. Ceramics, natural/artificial stones, chromium oxide compound, leather strops all work great. Like anything, Diamond sharpening stones and compounds have their advantages and disadvantages. Diamonds do tend to wear less, remain flat, and cut quicker than other means of sharpening, but tend to be more expensive.
 
Dorito Monk said:
I don't know about Lansky brand stuff, but diamonds are not necessary for sharpening. Ceramics, natural/artificial stones, chromium oxide compound, leather strops all work great. Like anything, Diamond sharpening stones and compounds have their advantages and disadvantages. Diamonds do tend to wear less, remain flat, and cut quicker than other means of sharpening, but tend to be more expensive.
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Thank you!
 
I pretty much agree, but would add that the more you do, the more you will value consistent and fast results. I find diamonds provide that for most of the steels I use...Yes, I think it depends on the steel you are working with.

Steels with higher hardness, and higher resistance to grinding will have you enjoying diamonds quite a bit! If you are working with 1095, or other traditional "carbon" steels, you can get great results with much less than diamonds.

My advice is based on freehand sharpening, I have little experience with Lansky.

IF YOU USE DIAMONDS WITH THE LANSKY, please remember to NOT use a lot of pressure. Let the diamonds work. Pressure will seem to grind much faster, but the results always seem to suffer and you may end up damaging your hones!
 
I really like having a diamond on hand for a very dull knife.You may not need it often but when you do,it's nice to have.
 
I have the lansky diamond set and like it, BUT~ I do it by hand ~ the whole 'system' thing doesn't work well. Good luck mounting a small blade and good luck getting a consistent edge on a large blade... that being said, I actually reprofiled a kabar d2 extreme w/ it ~ took forever, but did it... the fine blade even gave a descent mirror finish (finished up w/ leather and cardboard. I'd say get it, but don't expect much from the 'system' part) (as long as you can hone by hand)
 
Ha! On second thought ~ this is definitely not the right choice for hand honing ~ I just use it (and got used to it) because I spent $60 on it and wasn't buying another system...
 
here is a suggestion of something different. here is a link to a post by a member who has a wicked edge system. you might find his post interesting. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Edge-or-Edge-Pro-Apex?p=10352942#post10352942

i used to have a guided system similar to the lanksy. i now use the paper wheels and i gladly gave the system i had away. in the time you get your knife set up in the clamp, you can be done with sharpening.
 
I can sharpen pure tungsten carbide on diamond stones just like it was regular steel. Its faster, and easier, and works on everything.
 
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