what sharpening stones do you all recomend

catochris

catochris

Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
51
I have always used arkansas stones made by smith. except on my large curved blades for them I use sand paper and a mouse pad .
I have been thinking of getting a system . What do you all use ? pro and cons .
thanks
Chris:D
 
Personally, I use a Lanskey kit for my folders and most of my fixed blades. Mine comes with 5 stones, ranging from Ceramic to Extra Coarse. It also includes a small vise, with different holes for several different angles, a small container of blade oil to aid in sharpening and prolong the life of the stones, and rods for the stones.

Pro's: Small, lightweight kit that will sharpen just about anything. Really easy to use, and comes with a handy guide that will tell you the best recommended angle for different types of blades and what type of work your doing with them.

Con's: Can't really think of any, other than the fact that the glue holding my ceramic stone on the plastic handle came loose. But I think a friend of mine might have dropped it on the last camping trip we were on. So that's probably more user error than anything.

Lanskey also makes several other levels of kits, so if you want more/less features they've got you covered. I can't recall exactly what I paid for mine, but I believe they are pretty reasonable.......$30-$60 range I think.....
 
As far as benchstones I prefer the 8x2 or larger japanese waterstones. In particular shaptons or similar manmade ceramic waterstones. These cut faster than similar grit diamond hones in most cases and easily put a shaving edge on a blade. Because of their hardness they don't gouge easily nor do they dish as fast as natural or processed clay waterstones.

For a "system" I really like my edgepro apex. It seems spendy (hell it is spendy) but as far as results and ease of use it doesn't get much better. I've had a lansky for over a decade and IMO it's useless for anything with a blade larger than 4 inches, and even then it's a bit of a pain to set up and the oil makes a real mess(for some reason, far worse than large oilstones). You can make it work but the edgepro has it beat hands down once you get the hang of it.

I do like to use a belt sander and 240 grit belt when appropriate. It's great for prepping blunt edges before going to stones and also works great on garden tools when you want a fast, but sharp edge.
 
EdgePro for system, it will take a few knives to get it. When you do get the hang of it there is nothing better.

For freehanding (much more fun than a EdgePro) I like DMT Dia-Sharps(no holes in the stone face) for reprofiling. And Spyderco, med. Fine, then ultra fine. A finished edge with the ultra fine will whittle hair easy. Some strop from there, I don't.... I feel its just right off the UF stone. :cool:

Go freehand, its more fun and let's you feel what your doing unlike any system can.
 
I like the DMT stones but I use the sand paper and pad 99 percent of the time. If they get real dull I use the belt sander to bring the edge back.
 
DMT diamond stones are the very best, but pricey, norton soft india stones work pretty darned good and cost less than $20 for an 8" long one, other than a sharpmaker i dont like the gatcos and such which clamp on the blade, just too much trouble and it mars the finish unless ya are carefull, for me the best combo would be a coarse DMT, a fine DMT, and a sharpmaker, i could live with that combo FWIW to sharpen most anything i have. perhaps throw in a spydie fine ceramnic stone and ya are set.

a cheap way to go would be a DMT duofold coarse/fine, a norton soft india, and a sharpmaker.

the sharpmakers are just really handy for touch up, since i got one i couldnt live without it anymore lol.
 
Bench grinder of ancient origin with washing machine motor driven by v belt, 1" belt sander, 3"x21" belt sander, india slip oil stone, 3 spyderco 2" X 8" ceramic stones, files, gransfors bruks circular sandstone, gatco crock stick, gerber diamond pocket sharpener, several ceramic and diamond dogbone style sharpeners, Chef's choice 3 stage electric diamond sharpener, several steels, several carbide V sharpeners, an old Arkansas stone, and a no longer used water stone. I sharpen everything from lawn mower blades, chain saws, chisels, plane blades, axes, and knives. I send my carbide woodworking blades and router bits to a specialist.
 
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