Significance of super-fine stones (Lansky Sapphire, etc)

ivan_yulaev · Nov 3, 2003

I'm just curious as far as sharpening goes...

Are these stones of any use for utility applications? Their incredibly high grit would seem to be useless because they would produce a razor-sharp, but very fragile edge. Or do they have their purpose?

Crayola · Nov 4, 2003

Polished edges are more durable, all other things being equal. That said, super fine hones are great of you want a pushcutter. I have a stockman that I sharpened the main clip blade to a toothy 800 grit waterstone edge. The sheepsfoot blade I thinned out and mirror polished (800 grit waterstone, 4000 grit waterstone, strop with green buffing compount (0.5 micron). Sometimes I use the toothier edge, sometimes I use the polished edge.

ivan_yulaev · Nov 5, 2003

So, for general use, would 1000 grit be enough? Or would 2000 be significantly better for push AND slice cutting applications?

Crayola · Nov 5, 2003

Yes, a 1000 grit stone is a nice "medium" stone. You'll get a polished, but still somewhat toothy edge. 1200 would be OK too. Usually folsk fo from 1000 or 1200 to 4000/6000/8000, but that is for polished edges.

Happy sharpening!

Knife Outlet · Nov 5, 2003

Actually sharpness is a function of the bevel angle of the blade. Finer grits polish that bevel and that reduces friction. It is an overly acute bevel angle that can cause a delicate edge, not the process of polishing the edge. Unless you are cutting something with a back and forth sawing action (which benefits from a fairly rough edge)polished edges will improve the cutting performance of the blade. Take care.

berettaman12000 · Nov 5, 2003

I was going to post, but just what Fred stated.

Nosmo · Nov 5, 2003

I saw a post recently but can not remember the author to credit.
His suggestion was to use both a coarse and fine stone at the same time. The course for a bit of 'tooth' would be at the handle end of the blade and the rest, forward to the tip, could be a finer hone for push cutting.

I have not tried this but will.

db · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Nosmo
I saw a post recently but can not remember the author to credit.
His suggestion was to use both a coarse and fine stone at the same time. The course for a bit of 'tooth' would be at the handle end of the blade and the rest, forward to the tip, could be a finer hone for push cutting.

I have not tried this but will.

That idea is from are own Joe T. And it's a pretty darn good one. For my uses I think just the other way around is even better. Polished at the handle end and coarse from middle to tip. In fact I mainly sharpen coarse for all my blades, finest I really like is about 600 grit.