Greetings,
Newbie here!
I'm a retired woodworker/furniture maker looking to step up my sharpening game a bit, now that I have more time to actually sharpen ;-).
For kitchen knives (relatively inexpensive ones, although we might venture up at some point) and pocket knives, I've used for many years an inexpensive DMT angle sharpener with only two diamond stones (coarse and fine). For my chisels, I use larger DMT diamond stones (220 grit to 1200 grit) with a Lee Valley sharpening guide and I get results good enough to shave hair. I also have a Tormek sharpener that I've used infrequently on larger chisels and turning tools.
BUT, now I'd like to move up to a good quality fixed angle sharpener and after doing a fair amount of research, I think I've settled on the Hapstone RS Black. It seems like a very well built, solid device that should last me forever. I would mostly use this to sharpen kitchen knives and steak knives, small pocket knives, wood carving knives, and somewhat larger sheath (hunting) knives. Blade lengths anywhere from 1" to 9" and thicknesses no greater than 1/4". It looks like I can get the RS Black from Gritomatic for around $220, but I'd still need stones. Thus my question....
I don't think I would be interested in the level of sharpening that brings mirror finish or "presentation quality" results or that would warrant the expense associated with a high end stone set, but I would like a good quality starter set, preferably 6" x 1" diamond stones, that will get me good results (shaving hairs?). I set my budget at around $400 total, so if I get the RS Black, that would leave approximately $180-200 for stones. I would appreciate any recommendations. Also, if you think the RS Black is not a good option, I'm all ears. I did look at the R2 as well, but it looks to me like the RS is a bit sturdier. The R2 vertical arm doesn't seem to have enough of a stable connection to the base for my liking.
Thank you!
Mike
Newbie here!
I'm a retired woodworker/furniture maker looking to step up my sharpening game a bit, now that I have more time to actually sharpen ;-).
For kitchen knives (relatively inexpensive ones, although we might venture up at some point) and pocket knives, I've used for many years an inexpensive DMT angle sharpener with only two diamond stones (coarse and fine). For my chisels, I use larger DMT diamond stones (220 grit to 1200 grit) with a Lee Valley sharpening guide and I get results good enough to shave hair. I also have a Tormek sharpener that I've used infrequently on larger chisels and turning tools.
BUT, now I'd like to move up to a good quality fixed angle sharpener and after doing a fair amount of research, I think I've settled on the Hapstone RS Black. It seems like a very well built, solid device that should last me forever. I would mostly use this to sharpen kitchen knives and steak knives, small pocket knives, wood carving knives, and somewhat larger sheath (hunting) knives. Blade lengths anywhere from 1" to 9" and thicknesses no greater than 1/4". It looks like I can get the RS Black from Gritomatic for around $220, but I'd still need stones. Thus my question....
I don't think I would be interested in the level of sharpening that brings mirror finish or "presentation quality" results or that would warrant the expense associated with a high end stone set, but I would like a good quality starter set, preferably 6" x 1" diamond stones, that will get me good results (shaving hairs?). I set my budget at around $400 total, so if I get the RS Black, that would leave approximately $180-200 for stones. I would appreciate any recommendations. Also, if you think the RS Black is not a good option, I'm all ears. I did look at the R2 as well, but it looks to me like the RS is a bit sturdier. The R2 vertical arm doesn't seem to have enough of a stable connection to the base for my liking.
Thank you!
Mike