What fine benchstone(s) should I get???

S

Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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My recent sharpening endeavours have left me wanting a finer stone or stones that don't break the bank (think $50 or less per stone/side). All I have right now are a Coarse/fine alum oxide stone. And 600 and 1200 grit diamond stones. The stone I am looking for will be a finishing stone for softer stainless and carbon steels IE: Sadvick, 420HC and Opinel/svord carbon. I also want to use it on some softer super steels like VG-10 and 154CM. My hardest steels are D2 and S30V. It would be nice to be able to use the stone on the D2 because D2 is my favorite steel.

This post may sound like I am only interested in the ceramics but my problem is that a ceramic stone is all I can think of. However, I do welcome other suggestions for stones.
What I am looking at right now is a set of Spyderco Ceramic stones. I would like to get at least the medium and fine. Maybe even the ultra-fine. I have thought about just getting the Spyderco doublestuff but I think it will be too small for my use because I do all my sharpening at home.
 
The Naniwa 2K green brick would be a good choice. Suitable for a wide range of steels. Leaves a great edge. You can use different pressures and levels of mud its range can be from 1K up to 4K. Or there a bouts.
 
It's hard to answer a question that wasn't asked. You haven't discussed what your goal is, why your current stones are not adequate, etc. You wrote, "My recent sharpening endeavours have left me wanting a finer stone or stones."

What endeavors were those, and what were the results that led you to that conclusion? That would help.
 
Oh, snap! Sorry 'bout that. I just sharpened a 154cm Benchmade Nitrous blitz. I tried 1200 grit diamond and that was too aggressive so I had to use 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper.

Bold for emphasis: I want a stone to put a hair popping edge on my knives. In reality, I am looking for at least two stones. One stone for 154cm and vg-10 super steels that are coming off of 600 grit diamond or the fine side of an alum oxide stone. It will be a stepping stone (no pun intended) to the 6 micron diamond paste. The other stone will be for softer stainless steels like 420hc, 12c28n and AUS-8. I only have the fine side of a alum oxide stone for these steels and the second stone will prepare the edge for stropping on flexcut gold.

Better question?
 
Squashfan said:
Oh, snap! Sorry 'bout that. I just sharpened a 154cm Benchmade Nitrous blitz. I tried 1200 grit diamond and that was too aggressive so I had to use 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper.

Bold for emphasis: I want a stone to put a hair popping edge on my knives. In reality, I am looking for at least two stones. One stone for 154cm and vg-10 super steels that are coming off of 600 grit diamond or the fine side of an alum oxide stone. It will be a stepping stone (no pun intended) to the 6 micron diamond paste. The other stone will be for softer stainless steels like 420hc, 12c28n and AUS-8. I only have the fine side of a alum oxide stone for these steels and the second stone will prepare the edge for stropping on flexcut gold.

Better question?
Click to expand...

Yes, now I think I understand. I think you're right, ceramics would be a good follow up to your stones, but I think you should reserve a single ceramic as a final step: the Spyderco UF bench stone. Since you already have the diamonds, why not just finish out the set. By "1200 grit," I assume you mean 1200 mesh.

I recommend two stones: a 2200 mesh diamond plate and the venerable Spyderco 306UF (a 3 micron stone). With good technique and stropping with the stuff you already have (Flexcut Gold), you will get to hair popping with both types of steel you are talking about.
 
It's a pretty large gap to cover for any one stone. Personally I would go with the medium spyderco ceramic or start looking into a set of waterstones.
 
Magnaminous_G said:
Yes, now I think I understand. I think you're right, ceramics would be a good follow up to your stones, but I think you should reserve a single ceramic as a final step: the Spyderco UF bench stone. Since you already have the diamonds, why not just finish out the set. By "1200 grit," I assume you mean 1200 mesh.

I recommend two stones: a 2200 mesh diamond plate and the venerable Spyderco 306UF (a 3 micron stone). With good technique and stropping with the stuff you already have (Flexcut Gold), you will get to hair popping with both types of steel you are talking about.
Click to expand...

Sounds good but I am curious about why you say single step with the ceramic?
IDK if grit and mesh are the same but the diamond stone says "1200 grit" so I call it grit. I am a little leery of diamond right now because it easy for me to over grind the edge. David, OwE, said that I may have had that happened on the Benchmade I just sharpened with the 1200 grit diamond stone. That is why I was looking at the medium and other ceramics.

knifenut1013, I may look into a set of water stones later, what would you recommend if I do? Thanks for the advice both of you. I think I actually got every thing out of my head and on to the screen!
 
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