What stones to get for spydercos?

Minnesota

Minnesota

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I want to start using flat stones and learn how to freehand sharpen. I like the Idea that I could change the angle by lifting the blade, so I could sharpen all my knives at any angle I want, also the whole "stones are found everywhere in the world deal", so If I'm kidnapped and I'm taken to another country with nothing but a knife and the clothes on my back I'll be confident knowing that I can keep my knife sharp.

Anyways, I've heard that different steels respond to different stones better or worse. I've no clue what to get. So, I'm kinda asking what do you use? I know the different types of stones, water, ark, diamond etc. I know spyderco has stones too. Sorry if this is confusing at all, or if this is the wrong forum. I ask here because I'm only interested in collecting spydercos, and other knives in vg-10. Thanks. :)
 
If all you're doing is VG-10, then anything will work. I like diamond because they last pretty much forever and don't hollow out (get a ditch in the middle). And they work on everything.

Ceramic and/or waterstones will probably give you a finer final finish, though.

It's up to you.
 
What steels do you regularly sharpen?
 
Your stainless will be great on the ceramics but the 1095 not so much. For carbon steels just use sandpaper.

IMO a coarse DMT and the spyderco ceramics would be a ideal set of stones for your needs. When you get some extra money to blow buy a 6x2 Fine DMT plate and lap one side of the UF ceramic. The lapped side will produce results so good (hair splitting) you won't even need a strop and the bevel will be bling bling ;)
 
Little bit of water and using just the weight of the plate rub the ceramic. It going to take a while but the end result is well worth it.
 
knifenut1013 said:
When you get some extra money to blow buy a 6x2 Fine DMT plate and lap one side of the UF ceramic. The lapped side will produce results so good (hair splitting) you won't even need a strop and the bevel will be bling bling ;)
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Will it end up damaging the DMT? What if you did it with an EF DMT?
 
If you use it long enough it might become a paper weight ;)

The EF is too fine, instant damage occurs when used. Its basically because the diamonds are too small.
 
What do you mean by lapping? On one side of the spyder stone I should rub it with a DMT plate? Am I getting this right? What will that do?
 
The Spyderco ceramic stones are not like Japanese waterstones. I wouldn't lap them for use on knives.
I like the Spyderco stones on hard stainless steels. I use other kinds of stones for carbon steel blades - either a combination of a Lily White Washita and finer Arkansas stones, or I might start with an India stone if a blade is really dull. It depends on whether I am sharpening wood working tools or knives.
For a dull knife, I'd be tempted to take it to the belt sander before using stones.
 
Minnesota said:
What do you mean by lapping? On one side of the spyder stone I should rub it with a DMT plate? Am I getting this right? What will that do?
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By lapping one side with a Fine DMT your produce a smoother surface that cuts finer and if lapped correctly will yield a mirror finish. In the end you end up with a two sided finishing stone that produces edges sharp enough and polished enough to not need stropping, unless you want to ;)
 
I like the DMT Diasharp line. I've used my XX Coarse a lot and it hasn't worn out. You'll need a couple finer grits to refine the edge. I go from the diamond stones to the Spyderco Sharpmaker and then then a leather strop.
 
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