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Does not sound odd.
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Startup freehand sharpening setup advice wanted
- Thread starter Truesome
- Start date
Why would the coarse India feel coarse in the hand, fine India feel fine, but both the coarse and fine sides of the combo stone both feel fine?
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I don’t have the knowledge to really explain it, but I have two different stones, both combo stones. And both of them feel the same on both sides to me. Even though the two sides of each stone are obviously different colors.
ETA: I also misunderstood your question. I thought you were asking if it is odd for you to send a stone back.
ETA: I also misunderstood your question. I thought you were asking if it is odd for you to send a stone back.
I cannot explain why the stones feel that way. I have combination oilstones that felt similiar / identical on both sides when new. They needed a break-in-period.
I have no idea why the single stone does not feel as coarse / fine as the combination stone. Both are new, both are made by the same manufacturer. They shouldn't be that much different, should they?
Sorry, that's not helpful. I know.
I have no idea why the single stone does not feel as coarse / fine as the combination stone. Both are new, both are made by the same manufacturer. They shouldn't be that much different, should they?
Sorry, that's not helpful. I know.
Yeah it’s weird. The difference is dramatic, not at all subtle.
It's good to see success right away with a beginner doing free hand sharpening, it's not a black art that takes years of practice.
I suggest that since you are just now learning and are habit free to switch hands as you flip the knife and have the knife edge facing you rather than away from you, the guide to the back of the stone. It will give you a visual that will serve you well in the future. You will be able to match any angle on any knife you put down on the stone by not just feel but also seeing the edge make contact with the stone and watching it through the process. It's also easier to maintain a consistent angle from one side to the other.
Hey thanks! I’m right handed. I did many repetitions up the right side of the stone, pushing (blade leading) away from me. When burr felt even, flipped blade toward me and started at far end of stone (still right side) and did all those pulls toward me. Burr went back and forth and then disappeared as I did fewer and fewer per direction, repeated with each grit, then strop.
I can look up some YouTube videos, but how do you do both sides of the knife coming toward you without switching hands? (Or should I practice switching hands).
I did a few more knives after that one and very much enjoyed it. Last one was crazy sharp, so it really is a teachable skill. Thanks again for the support.
Sounds like you're off to an awesome start!
There's no way to sharpen both sides with the edge facing you without using both hands, which is why some people (myself included) prefer to use both hands. That said, there are many people way more skilled than I am who use only their dominant hand.
There's no way to sharpen both sides with the edge facing you without using both hands, which is why some people (myself included) prefer to use both hands. That said, there are many people way more skilled than I am who use only their dominant hand.
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I have tried it both ways, and I'm definitely right-handed. My left hand is basically a watch-carrier. I thought I'd be more consistent if I stuck to using my right hand, but I have been pleasantly surprised at how my edges look when I use both hands. I say give both a go, and see what works for you. If you mess up an edge, well, it'd be an awful shame if you had to go back and re-sharpen it, now wouldn't it? 
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Great to hear that you are getting "crazy sharp" edges already, you will only get better and quicker.
Course, Medium and Fine are all good to have and depending on the condition of the edge, will determine which stone you will need to start off. If the edge needs a complete re-profile, ie chipped or severely blunt, then depending on how bad, the Course or Medium is your starting point. If the edge is pretty good, but a little dull, then the Fine is all you should need.
You will find that if you keep your edges maintained by stropping after each use or session, the edge will remain very usable for quite some time. When the strop doesn't bring back the edge, then you might still be able to bring it back using the Fine India or Ark only.
Freehand sharpening is a great life skill and a whole lot of fun. It is also not so difficult to master, as you have proven, and doesn't require the latest and greatest stones to produce shaving sharp edges. The good old tried and proven Norton India is a fantastic starting point, throw in a good finishing stone between 1000 - 2000 grit and you are set for 95% of your requirements. I still firmly believe that the Norton India is the best stone to learn the art of sharpening, I feel there isn't a better learning stone that can produce excellent edges and provide lots of feedback whilst sharpening. It is only when you need to sharpen these modern "Super Steels" with a high Vanadium content that these rocks won't work, Diamond stones are required here. Certain food prep, like slicing sashimi or sushi rolls might require a finer grit, 8000 or higher to put a high polished edge, but I find this degree of refinement in an edge is unsuitable for general food prep. Finishing around 2000 grit is my sweet spot for Kitchen and EDC usage.
I only sharpen with my right hand and don't flip hands, have tried both ways and am just a little quicker with right only. As you are learning, give both ways a try. Would also suggest watching lots of You Tube videos, there is so many different ways to skin a cat, just work out which way is best for you. I tend to sharpen more in the Traditional Japanese way, as most my Kitchen cutlery is Japanese.
Well done mate, producing Crazy Sharp edges with a few simple tools is awesome, enjoy the journey.
Thanks! I do think it's easier to get one super sharp knife out of three. The trick for me will be doing that consistently. Stropping seemed to make a noticeable difference after the ark. The oil is a little annoying. The Norton pint comes with a big wide mouth on it that spills out way too much. I'll put it in a smaller mineral oil bottle for future. It'd be nice to have a system that's all oil rather than worry about water stones. Does the black arc work well as a finisher in the few-thousand grit range or do you think something like the Shapton Pro 1000-2000 is better for finishing and kitchen cutlery type applications? Honestly, for my pocket knife, I'm not sure I need anything much sharper than the fine ark, but might be nice to just have a 1000 to hit the chef's knife every week or two.
Yes, try switching hands, it won't make you better in and of it's self, or raise the ceiling of what you can accomplish, it will just make it easier if you can do it.
The advantage is the visible it gives you.
Don't try and emulate this guy and sharpen stone in hand, but he clearly demonstrates how he finds the bevel angle by feel and sight. Sharpening towards you also gives you a visual throughout the stroke.