Spyderco 302F Benchstone...EXCELLENT!

glockman99

glockman99

RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
Joined
Jun 12, 2000
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A couple days ago I received the Spyderco 302F Benchstone that I bought from NGK, and I have to say that I am VERY impressed with this 8" benchstone. (I now have a box-full of other assorted sharpening implements that more-than-likely won't see much use anymore.:D.).

I do have a question...Is there a REAL advantage in getting the 302UF (ultra fine) Benchstone, to compliment the 302F benchstone?...In other words, will the ultra fine benchstone make my (razor-sharp) knives even sharper by polishing the edge?
 
Hey Glockman go ahead and get that 302UF also. That ultra fine stone of Spydercos is really worth it also. I even have the UF stones that they make for the Sharpmaker kit as well. Also to get them knives scary sharp get one of those sharpening guides made by Razor Edge Systems out of Ely Minnesota. When you get the blade to where it will shave hair off of your arms then do about 24 to 30 strokes on each side with the ultra fine stone and you will not believe the results. Oh by the way Glockman I still have that Satin steel Cold STeel Gurkha Kukri if you are still interested. Later on :)
 
Dann, I have to respect someone who can really use a freehand stone like that. I just don't have the patience or discipline. That said, I bet the fine stone will serve you well ... and you have no need for the UF one except for the pursuit of perfection. If you plan to use the knife you sharpen, I would bet you'll find the fine stone to suffice.
 
on the corners of the rods for the sharpmaker I can not see much of a difference between the UF and F but on the flats, there is a noticable difference. Since the benchstones are essentially only flats I would expect that you will be able to tell a difference quite readily!
 
I have both the medium and fine bench stones and love them. I especially like them because I got them for around $15-$18 a piece. I can't remember the exact price. I was in a store and got them to let me look around in their stock room a little bit and found a few of these things in a little basket, covered in dust. The clerk didn't even seem to know they had them or what they were. I got the feeling they had been laying there for several years. Needless to say, my cousin and I cleaned them out. I wish they had had a UF stone at those prices, but I honestly can't say I see the need for one. I'm not saying I wouldn't get one for the right price, but they are very expensive and I get a very polished edge with the fine ceramic and a loaded strop. I also have several very fine waterstones and a hard, tanslucent gray/black Arkansas stone if I want to get "fancy."

Those stones were two of the best bargains I have ever got. Makes up for the super cheap sharpmakers that Spyderco was selling at the Blade Show several years ago that I missed because I took five minutes to think about it.

Of course there was the year at Blade that Norton came and were laying out full size Norton India benchstones, diamond sharpeners, hats, pocket stones, etc. for people to pick up for free. I guess that benchstone might be the best bargain I ever got. :D

Anyway, my cold medicine is making me ramble more than usual :eek: but I seem to remember Sal saying the Fine and Ultra Fine stones are exactly the same except the UF is polished more on the surface. That is why the UF is slightly thinner than the Fine. I just wish the plastic boxes stayed closed better and let you get closer to the stones edge. I have ranger bands on both ends of my cases because I have dropped both of them more then once when they slipped out of the box. Same with my ProFile set and the suede pouch they came in.
 
As of today, I have a Spyderco 302UF (ultra fine) Benchstone on the way, so in a few days, I'll know for myself how much an improvement it is over the 302F (fine) stone.

BTW...Today I "touched-up" the blade on my Benchmade 805 TSEK with my Spyderco 302F Benchsone, and...Damn, it is SHARP!!.:).
 
Dann,

have you picked up a strop yet? i take my knives to the sharpmaker (first the medium, then fine stones) and then run 'em on the strop with white compound (which seems to be somewhere in the 600-1000 grit range). this polishes the whole edge and really just sends the scary-sharpness thru the roof! i bet that UF stone will do just about the same thing, though. have fun!

abe m.
 
glockman99 said:
As of today, I have a Spyderco 302UF (ultra fine) Benchstone on the way, so in a few days, I'll know for myself how much an improvement it is over the 302F (fine) stone.

BTW...Today I "touched-up" the blade on my Benchmade 805 TSEK with my Spyderco 302F Benchsone, and...Damn, it is SHARP!!.:).
Click to expand...
TODAY, I received my ultra-fine 8" Spydie Benchstone, and I gotta say...WOW! I "sliced" a couple of my blades across the "stone" (5 times each way, really light on the last 2 slices), and now I REALLY can't believe how sharp the blades are (440C and ATS-34...Both are Benchmades).
 
glockman99 said:
TODAY, I received my ultra-fine 8" Spydie Benchstone, and I gotta say...WOW! I "sliced" a couple of my blades across the "stone" (5 times each way, really light on the last 2 slices), and now I REALLY can't believe how sharp the blades are (440C and ATS-34...Both are Benchmades).
Click to expand...

Aw Dann....I'm still waiting on my 302UF to arrive by mule team....er...UPS Ground (all the way from Idaho :grumpy: ), and you're not making it any easier!

Glad to hear it worked out well for you :),

Matthew
 
Starfish said:
Aw Dann....I'm still waiting on my 302UF to arrive by mule team....er...UPS Ground (all the way from Idaho :grumpy: ), and you're not making it any easier!

Glad to hear it worked out well for you :),

Matthew
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Don't fret too much...It IS worth the wait!...(And waiting is why I always try to have packages shipped to me via USPS Priority Mail...It took MY 302UF only two days to get to me from Virginia once it was shipped.).
 
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