Sharpening stone question

fadugleman · Apr 9, 2013

I have a question. If i were to buy just one sharpening stone for my sharpening instead of a set what kind and which one should I get.

Obsessed with Edges · Apr 9, 2013

What steels are you planning to sharpen with it? That could make a big difference, in terms of what you actually need. Safe bets for most steels would be something like the aluminum oxide or silicon carbide stones from Norton ('India' and 'Crystolon', respectively). Diamond might be overkill for simple carbon steels (1095, CV) and low/mid-range stainless (420HC, 440A/440C, etc.), but more useful or even necessary for very wear-resistant steels like S30V. Natural stones (Arkansas) usually don't do well for heavy grinding on anything but the simplest steels, so they'd likely be the least useful for most modern knives.

David

mrdeus · Apr 10, 2013

The stone I use most (for kitchen knives mostly) is a #1000 water stone.

fadugleman · Apr 10, 2013

Obsessed with Edges said:
What steels are you planning to sharpen with it? That could make a big difference, in terms of what you actually need. Safe bets for most steels would be something like the aluminum oxide or silicon carbide stones from Norton ('India' and 'Crystolon', respectively). Diamond might be overkill for simple carbon steels (1095, CV) and low/mid-range stainless (420HC, 440A/440C, etc.), but more useful or even necessary for very wear-resistant steels like S30V. Natural stones (Arkansas) usually don't do well for heavy grinding on anything but the simplest steels, so they'd likely be the least useful for most modern knives.

David

Right now the most modern steel I Have is vg10.

Omega Leather Works · Apr 10, 2013

VG-10 is pretty easy stuff to sharpen. If you aren't using other steels that are higher wearing then you should get on fine with a combination stone like David mentioned.

I'm going to assume that you aren't looking for big changes to your bevel angle, although with the coarse side of the combo stone it is certainly possible, and you aren't after a mirror polished edge either... is that safe to say?

The finish that you can achieve with a combo stone (like the Norton 6" economy sold at Home Depot for $6) is very workable based on the testing and efforts of forum member Heavy Handed. I haven't gotten that far myself, but then I haven't used it all that much. What I have experienced though has been very positive for aggression and finish.

Skimo · Apr 10, 2013

SIC stones will even cut M4 with ease, cheap and effective though coarse for my preferences.

Jason B. · Apr 10, 2013

A Norton India and a strop with compound would be a hard combo to beat. Sic stones if you have really wear resistant steels. (Greater than S30V)

liamstrain · Apr 10, 2013

Combination Soft/Hard Arkansas stone would be good

Obsessed with Edges · Apr 10, 2013

fadugleman said:
Right now the most modern steel I Have is vg10.

VG-10 responds nicely to the AlOx (aluminum oxide) and/or SiC (silicon carbide) stones. Can use diamond for heavy grinding if needed, and the SiC stones also work very well in that capacity. I've also used SiC sandpaper (wet/dry type) for re-bevelling VG-10; works great when used over a glass backing, like a stone. Ceramic hones work real well in the finishing stages on VG-10, if you want more polished bevels. For stropping afterwards, AlOx-based compounds work very well. An easy option there would be some Simichrome or Flitz polishing paste, as they both use aluminum oxide abrasive.

David

Millie Maniac · Apr 10, 2013

liamstrain said:
Combination Soft/Hard Arkansas stone would be good

That's what I was thinking too!!! Can't beat a good combo of Arkansas stones!!! I have used them for years and years and have not had a problem with any type of steel works fine for me with my Spyderco Gayle Bradley and its M4 blade gets it shaving sharp everytime.

fadugleman · Apr 10, 2013

Strigamort said:
VG-10 is pretty easy stuff to sharpen. If you aren't using other steels that are higher wearing then you should get on fine with a combination stone like David mentioned.

I'm going to assume that you aren't looking for big changes to your bevel angle, although with the coarse side of the combo stone it is certainly possible, and you aren't after a mirror polished edge either... is that safe to say?

The finish that you can achieve with a combo stone (like the Norton 6" economy sold at Home Depot for $6) is very workable based on the testing and efforts of forum member Heavy Handed. I haven't gotten that far myself, but then I haven't used it all that much. What I have experienced though has been very positive for aggression and finish.

Really dont care for a mirror polish and thanks for the help.

Omega Leather Works · Apr 11, 2013

fadugleman said:
Really dont care for a mirror polish and thanks for the help.

In that case you should be set with any of the suggestions above. I'm still wondering if you plan to heavily rebevel your edges. I'm guessing not, but if you are I would go with SiC or AlumOx. Sandpaper should not be discounted. It's been mentioned already, but maybe bears repeating. Wet/Dry on glass is excellent, and you can get a big multi-grit pack at the autopart store fairly cheaply. It really is a viable option that people seem to ignore. 3M is my drug of choice for SP.