Which Stones to Buy: Want to Start Freehanding

[pickering]

I want to start trying to freehand on benchstones and I need advice on which stones to buy. I work at a shop that buys from MSC, and their catalog lists single grit bench stones in Christylon (sp?) and India from Norton, like 8x2x1. Which of these do I need, and in what grits? They don't list the grits on these, I don't know whether there is even a choice of grits. If you can recommend a better source for stones, or a better brand, please let me know. I really don't want to mess with waterstones or diamond stones, just want to keep it simple for now. Thanks.

 

[THG]

I got the Crystolon 8x2x1 combo grit. It has a coarse and a "fine" side. I wouldn't use ANY of these for finishing a blade, but I think the stone is a good choice for the first step in sharpening a knife.

You're definitely going to want to get something finer to finish off the blade. I'd get either DMT stones or Spyderco ceramics.

 

[tabeeb762]

The 8" Norton JB8 (MSC# 05139738) is what I would go for if I were starting over.
I rarely use anything else now.

It can serve as a one stone solution for general purpose work.
For use on wood you need a finer stone like a Hard Arkansas.