Sharpening Stones

[colu41]

So I bought the Spyderco Sharpmaker system a while back to help me out a little sharpening. Well now I think Im good enough to just use regular stones. Now that Im a knifemaker, Im asking for suggestions on maybe a 2 piece stone set to establish the edge, and possibly a nice ceramic to polish it off. A 3 piece would probably be ideal. Is this possible for around $100? Ive seen many different stones but I want suggestions from people that have experience with certain stones, and to get something I know will work and last.

 

[PURPLEDC]

are you making knives via forging or stock removal? Even if forging I asume you still would have a grinder. Most makers I see actually sharpen on that as it gives it that uniform factory look and is much quicker than honing on stones. I commend you though if you really want to hand sharpen every knife the old fashioned way.

 

[colu41]

are you making knives via forging or stock removal? Even if forging I asume you still would have a grinder. Most makers I see actually sharpen on that as it gives it that uniform factory look and is much quicker than honing on stones. I commend you though if you really want to hand sharpen every knife the old fashioned way.

Yes im doing just stock removal. But after heat treating I bring the edge down to about .01" so creating the initial edge isnt that bad. I just want a set of decent stones instead of the annoying Spyderco triangle. Lol

 

[Morrow]

Moving to MT&E

 

[colu41]

Moving to MT&E

Thanks. Sorry i wasnt sure where,to post this

 

[awestib]

So I bought the Spyderco Sharpmaker system a while back to help me out a little sharpening. Well now I think Im good enough to just use regular stones. Now that Im a knifemaker, Im asking for suggestions on maybe a 2 piece stone set to establish the edge, and possibly a nice ceramic to polish it off. A 3 piece would probably be ideal. Is this possible for around $100? Ive seen many different stones but I want suggestions from people that have experience with certain stones, and to get something I know will work and last.

Not sure about the $100 but I would recommend the often mentioned combination of DMT diamond stone coarse, extra fine, Spyderco UF stone and strop. That will give you a polished edge on all possible steels. The stones need very little maintenance, stay flat etc. There are some cheaper alternatives of course, the Crystolon combi stone comes to mind for coarser work, the diamond jointing oil stone that HeavyHanded has tested here on BF for finer work. Works great in my experience as well.

 

[colu41]

Not sure about the $100 but I would recommend the often mentioned combination of DMT diamond stone coarse, extra fine, Spyderco UF stone and strop. That will give you a polished edge on all possible steels. The stones need very little maintenance, stay flat etc. There are some cheaper alternatives of course, the Crystolon combi stone comes to mind for coarser work, the diamond jointing oil stone that HeavyHanded has tested here on BF for finer work. Works great in my experience as well.

That Norton Crystolon Combination stone is only $20! That looks like it could be a good start for me. Now it says a course side for putting an edge on, then a fine side for finishing. How fine is it? It doesn't really say. I'd like to get a finer stone also afterwards like a ceramic or something. Any suggestions on that?

Edit: Just read on another site that the Norton Crystolon Combi is 100 grit coarse and 280 fine? Should I go higher?

 

[sir_mike]

That Norton Crystolon Combination stone is only $20! That looks like it could be a good start for me. Now it says a course side for putting an edge on, then a fine side for finishing. How fine is it? It doesn't really say. I'd like to get a finer stone also afterwards like a ceramic or something. Any suggestions on that?

Edit: Just read on another site that the Norton Crystolon Combi is 100 grit coarse and 280 fine? Should I go higher?

You could look at the Norton India combi stone. I dont know what grits that one is but I am sure someone here can answer that!

 

[HeavyHanded]

That Norton Crystolon Combination stone is only $20! That looks like it could be a good start for me. Now it says a course side for putting an edge on, then a fine side for finishing. How fine is it? It doesn't really say. I'd like to get a finer stone also afterwards like a ceramic or something. Any suggestions on that?

Edit: Just read on another site that the Norton Crystolon Combi is 100 grit coarse and 280 fine? Should I go higher?

IMHO those values are a little low, but not much. The coarse side can do a lot of heavy repair work, the fine side makes a good utility edge and bridge to a finer edge. With practice you can turn out some real nice edges off that stone but won't be the easiest. It is a great stone to have around and a very good stone to learn on.

The fine India is a nice step up, but the coarse side of the India stone is not very effective in my experience. Still a good stone to have and another good one to learn on.

 

[colu41]

IMHO those values are a little low, but not much. The coarse side can do a lot of heavy repair work, the fine side makes a good utility edge and bridge to a finer edge. With practice you can turn out some real nice edges off that stone but won't be the easiest. It is a great stone to have around and a very good stone to learn on.

The fine India is a nice step up, but the coarse side of the India stone is not very effective in my experience. Still a good stone to have and another good one to learn on.

$20 for a decent stone I think I may get this one to start. But do you have any other recommendations? I really like a polished edge and my small ceramic stick gets it nearly there. Its just way to small to work with and get a great edge.

 

[awestib]

$20 for a decent stone I think I may get this one to start. But do you have any other recommendations? I really like a polished edge and my small ceramic stick gets it nearly there. Its just way to small to work with and get a great edge.

You get what you pay for. The Spyderco UF bench stone is a great polishing stone but the jump from the fine Crystolon stone to the UF may be too big. Same with the above mentioned Diamond Jointing stone that HeavyHanded discovered. It will give you pretty much a polished finish and it is much cheaper but the step from the fine Crystolon might be too large. So yes, the fine side of the Norton India might be the right filler in between though I have no experience with it.

 

[HeavyHanded]

You get what you pay for. The Spyderco UF bench stone is a great polishing stone but the jump from the fine Crystolon stone to the UF may be too big. Same with the above mentioned Diamond Jointing stone that HeavyHanded discovered. It will give you pretty much a polished finish and it is much cheaper but the step from the fine Crystolon might be too large. So yes, the fine side of the Norton India might be the right filler in between though I have no experience with it.

I agree, you have to get to about 600-800 grit before you can make a jump to a more polished edge with any kind of efficiency. The Razor's Edge Sharpening Fine Hone might be a nice option coming off the Crystalon and will get one within striking range of a reasonably polished edge.

 

[David Martin]

To me the coarse India is a effective stone. Not as fast a cutter as a SiC coarse. But it doesn't wear down as quickly as the SiC either. Thus, the India offers better economy. One doesn't have to flatten the India like you have to do for the SiC. DM

 

[Djrichone]

DMT all the way IMO. You can get a nice set in a wooden box with a stand for under a hundred. Add a strop and you're set for about $130.00. The benefit of learning stones is you can sharpen anywhere with portable key chain sharpeners such as when on vacation, camping etc.