What is the ideal knife sharpener

[MKSknives88]

I want to learn how to use a sharpening stone. I currently use the worksharp knife and tool sharpener on my handmade knives as well as knives ive bought in stores and it works perfectly but I would like to learn to use a stone sharpener or get some kind of angle guide that I can use on any stone. Any suggestions?

 

[OHALLUM]

I don't know about "any" stone, but the Lansky diamond stone system is a good entry level system for not a lot of money. It has limitations, but so do all of the other guided angle systems. I don't have any of them. I have the worksharp also, and a set of paper wheels which give me all the sharpening ability I personally will ever need. I have used the worksharp to re-profile some knives and re-grind some tips, and then finish up on the paper wheels. My knives will whittle free standing hair, which is sharper than I really "need" them to be. I do like to experiment and see just how sharp I can get some of them with what I have available.

Omar

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

HERE is a super-basic guide to freehand sharpening. Hope that helps out a bit!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Knowing what I know now, if I were to pick only 'one' stone for (almost) every blade, I might just use a two-sided SiC (silicon carbide) bench hone. Silicon carbide will handle most steels easily, maybe excepting only the very hardest & vanadium carbide-rich supersteels like S90V, where diamond would work faster. Supplement that with a DMT Aligner clamp as an angle guide, and that combination would handle almost any job. With a good bevel set initially, simple maintenance & touch-ups can be handled by stropping with compound (chromium oxide, SiC, aluminum oxide) on leather, wood, paper, fabric, etc. In a real pinch, edges could also be touched up on any ceramic, like the unglazed bottom of a coffee mug, or even on smooth concrete if necessary.

 

[monk3yfist]

I'm still partial to diamond stones. They get the job done faster and you get immediate feedback when sharpening at inconsistent angles. They force you to use light pressure from day one, and they don't need a lot of maintenance. Once you get a feel for freehand sharpening with diamonds then you can move on to water stones or SiC for those ultra polished laser-edges.

 

[stitchawl]

Knowing what I know now, if I were to pick only 'one' stone for (almost) every blade, I might just use a two-sided SiC (silicon carbide) bench hone. Silicon carbide will handle most steels easily, maybe excepting only the very hardest & vanadium carbide-rich supersteels like S90V, where diamond would work faster. Supplement that with a DMT Aligner clamp as an angle guide, and that combination would handle almost any job.

You have just described (with a bit of leeway) Juranitch's "RazorEdge" system... Clamped angle guide and SiC stones.
I prefer the ease and versatility of the DMT Aligner myself, but there is no denying that his Sic stones do a damn fine job!

Stitchawl

 

[HeavyHanded]

You have just described (with a bit of leeway) Juranitch's "RazorEdge" system... Clamped angle guide and SiC stones.
I prefer the ease and versatility of the DMT Aligner myself, but there is no denying that his Sic stones do a damn fine job!

Stitchawl

Was looking at the stones on his website, I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that they're silicon carbide. Are the "Super ultra fine hones" comparable to or more fine than a Norton Crystalon hone?

 

[stitchawl]

Was looking at the stones on his website, I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that they're silicon carbide. Are the "Super ultra fine hones" comparable to or more fine than a Norton Crystalon hone?

Yes, they are SiC.
No, the fine stones are of a larger grit than 'most' other stones considered 'fine' without specifying actual grit size. That said, they still put a smooth, face-shaving edge on a blade, and do so very quickly. When using the RazorEdge stones I always finish up with Chromium Oxide on a strop for all knives other than kitchen tools.


Stitchawl

 

[HeavyHanded]

Yes, they are SiC.
No, the fine stones are of a larger grit than 'most' other stones considered 'fine' without specifying actual grit size. That said, they still put a smooth, face-shaving edge on a blade, and do so very quickly. When using the RazorEdge stones I always finish up with Chromium Oxide on a strop for all knives other than kitchen tools.


Stitchawl

Now my curiosity is aroused. I consider myself (mistakenly perhaps) to be pretty literate when it comes to my Crystalon stone - I can get a face shaving edge straight off the fine side, but not even a drunken sailor (after being thrown in the scupper with a hose-pipe on 'im) would consider it smooth. Takes a bit of careful work with some compound to make the edge uniform enough for a shave that won't leave you itching. I understand what you say about other 'fine' stones, but sounds like the RA stone has to be somewhat smoother than the fine side of a typical combination SIC stone.

 

[stitchawl]

I understand what you say about other 'fine' stones, but sounds like the RA stone has to be somewhat smoother than the fine side of a typical combination SIC stone.

It is. From what I understand, they are made for Juranitch to his specs. It's quite fine, just not fine enough for some applications. It's perfect for a hunting knife, bushcraft knife, warehouse knife, etc., etc. Something that gets heavy, rough use. But I'd want more for a wood carving knife, craft knife, or EDC.


Stitchawl

 

[T. Erdelyi]

There's no substitution for learnin' to freehand sharpen on a set of bench hones, now what type of stones depends on the type of steel and RC hardness.

Newer Super Steels above 58 RC are harder to sharpen on more traditional stones.

If ya gotta buy only one for dressin' up an edge, buy the largest medium/fine diamond hone ya can afford, if you're plannin' on a lotta reprofilin' get a coarse hone.

 

[HeavyHanded]

It is. From what I understand, they are made for Juranitch to his specs. It's quite fine, just not fine enough for some applications. It's perfect for a hunting knife, bushcraft knife, warehouse knife, etc., etc. Something that gets heavy, rough use. But I'd want more for a wood carving knife, craft knife, or EDC.


Stitchawl

I'm in, ordered one of the 'imperfect' stones - I'll have to see what shows up. I like what I get from my Crystalon stone when it comes to EDU, and have come to prefer solid SiC stones for the bulk of my sharpening. Seem to get the most consistent results across steel types. While I cannot argue much against diamond hones I get much better feedback (and can do recurves) off a silicon carbide stone - so am always looking for options in this dept. I do not understand what tech difficulties prevent high grit (1000 +) count vitrified SiC stones from being manufactured.