Sharpening Stones

ZENGHOST

ZENGHOST

Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
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Okay, here's the deal...I have a 220/800 combo waterstone and a 6000 water/finishing stone. There seems to be a definitive gap between the 800 and 6000 and I'm looking to fill that gap.

Question 1: Am I looking at just one stone to fill the gap, or more than one?

Question 2: What grit(s) do I want here? I was thinking maybe a 1200 and a 4000 or maybe just a 3000.

I'm looking to steer clear of anything that requires oil--too messy for me.

Thanks guys...I didn't want to ask yet another sharpening question, but my question was a little too specific for most of the threads that I found in my search.
 
From what I remember of reading Leonard Lee's book, the 1200 shoudl be fine. a 4000 would be nice to have, but not absolutely necessary. from 800 to 1200 to 6000 will be o.k., but of course not ideal. I hope someoen can confirm this, or clear things up for me in case I am wrong!
 
The more hones you have inbetween the faster the process will go so buy as much as you can afford.

-Cliff
 
Originally posted by Cliff Stamp
The more hones you have inbetween the faster the process will go so buy as much as you can afford.
Click to expand...

Damn...I was hoping that wouldn't be the answer...I guess I'm just gonna have to lay down the cash...
 
800, 1200, 4000, 8000. Works quickly to a polished edge. Most people here apparently think a polished edge is for special purposes only. Many 'hone' to a final edge with a fine India stone which is about 360 on the Japanese grit scale.

re mess: water works fine on 'oil' stones if they haven't been oiled. This gives you more and cheaper options.

http://www.ameritech.net/users/knives/grits.htm
 
Thanks for the link, dude...I've been looking for something like that.

And if I remember correctly, in his book, Juranitch said that you shouldn't use anything (i.e. water, oil, etc.) when sharpening? You guys every read/try that?
 
If a stone has been oiled, you should use oil on it. Otherwise, I have always gotten great results not using any bit of oil on my stones. Water stones do need water though.
 
Some stones need a lubricant as otherwise they will clog up very rapidly, waterstones are probably the worst. Just try one dry and see what happens. You will need to clean it after just a little honing. Some hones like Diamond plates and solid ceramic abrasives can be ran dry as they don't break down in use and thus they don't load up.

-Cliff
 
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