What grit for sharpening cold steel??

S

Stoogemeister

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Nov 3, 2009
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Hey i have a cold steel recon scout which i would like to keep well sharpened.
I am getting a sharpener soon and i have a choice between 4 grits


extra coarse 220

coarse 325

fine 600

extra fine 1200

What do you think would be best for keeping the RS razor sharp?

It is a diamond sharpening stone if you need to know
 
yep, all of them, maybe minus the extra course. It depends on the condition of the blade as it is now. Work up a burr with the course and fine stones. Then knock it down with the extra fine.
 
Unless the edge been damaged or severely neglected, you shouldn't need anything as coarse as 220 or 320 in diamond.
 
If you do not plan on trying for the ultimate razor edge you might settle for just the 600 grit hone. Initially it will cut fast and leave a somewhat rougher edge than is optimal, but it would serve as sort of a microserration that would slice well. After some use it will wear in and cut a little slower, but leave a smoother edge finish. Given the quicker cutting speed of diamond hones this might work in place of coarser hones even when your blade is seriously dull. If you don't expect to let the blade get seriously dull between sharpenings I would get the 1,200 grit for edge maintenance. The trouble is that the Recon Scout is not profiled to be a razor edge knife. It is thick and the saber grind configuration extends only half the width of the blade--hence it is a less acute profile. For that profile the roughness left by the 600 grit might give you higher cutting performance.
 
Jeff Clark said:
The trouble is that the Recon Scout is not profiled to be a razor edge knife. It is thick and the saber grind configuration extends only half the width of the blade--hence it is a less acute profile. For that profile the roughness left by the 600 grit might give you higher cutting performance.
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You might be thinking of another knife, my RS (and TM) are full flat grinds. They both needed a little thinning, but not too bad.

p1010001.jpg
 
sodak said:
You might be thinking of another knife, my RS (and TM) are full flat grinds. They both needed a little thinning, but not too bad.

p1010001.jpg
Click to expand...


Hey, just one quick question. Would you recommend the RS or the TM for long term wilderness survival?

I like the long blade of the TM, but the leather sheath doesnt do it for me and i believe the san mai version with a fabric sheath is hundreds of dollars

i like the RS for simple mobility and thickness, and the plastic sheath is awesome for not retaining water.

I just dont know, what do you think would be the better choice?
 
Stoogemeister said:
Hey, just one quick question. Would you recommend the RS or the TM for long term wilderness survival?

I like the long blade of the TM, but the leather sheath doesnt do it for me and i believe the san mai version with a fabric sheath is hundreds of dollars

i like the RS for simple mobility and thickness, and the plastic sheath is awesome for not retaining water.

I just dont know, what do you think would be the better choice?
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on your personal preference. Both chop well for their size, the RS is more "carryable" than the TM. You can always have another sheath made if that's what you want.

I'd be happy with either, but the RS might get the nod as it's not too big, and still chops well. I really prefer the models in Carbon V, which are only available on the secondary market now. The San Mai's are waaaay overpriced, IMO. Either one should be less than (or around) $100 or so. $300 or more for one of these knives would have me looking for something else, but that's just my opinion, YMMV.

You could also look into the "old" Swamp Rat Camp Tramps or Chopweilers. They are also very good knives for the value.
 
You're right I was thinking of another Cold Steel knife (something like the SRK?) It is still no fillet knife. I would probably still opt for 600 grit if I could have only one hone for it. In reality I opt to have all of those hones plus a few dozen others and a belt sander.
 
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