Sharpening stones -- what to buy? Necesseties?

[jdk81]

I am fairly green to sharpening blades, having only used handhelds recently. I have used stones in the past, and usually try to run my blades on a honing stone and leather strop, but I need real stones first.

1. What do you recommend me getting for my first couple stones? The way I see it is that I will need a 1000 grit ceramic, a coarse, and a medium stone. I have no idea what grits will work best, or what stones.

2. Is there anything else I would need?

3. I am not looking to spend a bunch of money right now, so, if this isn't for me, recommend me something economical that will get the job done.

I would LOVE to become proficient in sharpening my knives on freehand bench stones. It is a must have skill in my mind. I want to be able to take any of my knives, and put a shaving edge on them, or at least put a scary sharp edge.

Thank you very much!!

 

[Squashfan]

What kind of steels are you sharpening? That will play a role in what stone you buy. I can get a very sharp edge straight off of a norton combo stone. You may find one stone is all you need.

 

[jac_solar]

You can probably get scary/shaving sharp with the "less course" side of a regular file - it's about "apexing" the edge. In terms of regular use, mirror polish, polishing, higher grits, etc. is more about making the edge last, removing the micro-serrations, and making the edge bevels and shoulders less course. 3 Diamond stones and a strop is probably good enough for sharpening any steel for general EDC purposes; course, medium, fine. You can also pick up some strop compounds (Can't mix the compounds, though; you need to use a dedicated hone for each compound. The grit that's advertised on the bottle or container you buy is in the compound itself, and can be used on any number of materials, or, when the compound is applied, "hones".) and 1500, 2500, etc. grit sandpaper to use after that to get a decent mirror polish (The leather strop should always be used last though. Leather is the equivalent of an extremely high grit, but it's only used for "straightening" the direction of the steel on the edge.).

Ie, order of sharpening;

Course
Medium
Fine
1500 sandpaper
2500 sandpaper
1 micron compound on a strop
leather strop

Using high end Japanese waterstones or natural stones is probably more about making different levels of mirror polish (Hazy, satin, more mirror like, etc.), making a less jagged edge, making more stable edges at extremely high sharpness, and getting a level of sharpness that should only be used for lighter tasks, not EDC.

However, keep in mind that there are some different meanings for the grits; An American grit number of 2000 on, for example, a diamond hone, is like the equivalent of a Japanese grit number of 8000 on a Japanese Waterstone, I think.

 

[jdk81]

Thanks for the advice!!

The sharpness I am looking for is simply for EDC (I assume that means everyday chores?) and I will not be sharpening "collectors" knives. All of my knives are used in the field, dressing game, butchering game of all sizes, hogs, etc. Just need a blade that will hold up and make butchering game easier. What would satisfy this need of mine? I have been using the Lansky "V" sharpener and have grown not to like it too much.

Thanks again!

 

[SadSappySucker]

I can keep my knife pretty sharp, shaving sharp most of the time, on the arkansa stone. When a knife gets dull I'll just use my course and fine diamond stones from this smiths sharpening system my dad gave me. I'll use those stones freehand then move to the arkansa. I've definitely been getting close to buying some better equipment. These 4" diamond stones just aint cutting it, plus I'd like to get a strop.
Good question though. I'd like to know which stones I need and how much $ I'm looking at spending to get the stones, strop, compounds. I've just never done the research.

 

[David Martin]

jdk, Get a Norton combination coarse/ fine India stone. Use it with mineral oil and learn to sharpen freehand. This will give you some good edges. DM

 

[jdk81]

Thanks DM!

 

[yepimonfire]

I'd go with a Norton crystolon combo for resharpening, and finish with a cheap white hard arkansas. Arkansas is slow for sharpening but perfect for finishing. On Amazon you can grab a lansky for $17, I used to have one and the finish they give is almost as fine as my 8000 grit water stones.