sharpening stones

kct6 · Post by **kct6** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:25 am

Hi was wondering what is the best stone to use on a plain blade that is 4". Also does the eletric knife sharpeners work good or do diamond stones work good???

stepdaddy · Post by **stepdaddy** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:33 am

Well, depends on how much ya want to get into it.
I have a set of ceramic crox sticks for a quick touch up if needed. I also use a carbon sharpener if the touch up is in need of a tad more effort. But if an entire sharpening session is in order I have a Lansky Sharpening system with clamp and guide rods, came with three stone and have added two others. After about 1/2 hour with this system my knives are like new and sharp as hell. I even used it to sharpen the false swedge on one of my balisong knives, back side is now razor sharp and took less time then I thought it would using the rough stone. All depends on what kind of effort and how much you'd like to spend.

SD

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:32 am

stepdaddy wrote:Well, depends on how much ya want to get into it.
I have a set of ceramic crox sticks for a quick touch up if needed. I also use a carbon sharpener if the touch up is in need of a tad more effort. But if an entire sharpening session is in order I have a Lansky Sharpening system with clamp and guide rods, came with three stone and have added two others. After about 1/2 hour with this system my knives are like new and sharp as hell. I even used it to sharpen the false swedge on one of my balisong knives, back side is now razor sharp and took less time then I thought it would using the rough stone. All depends on what kind of effort and how much you'd like to spend.

SD

Lansky [and Gatco] are the easiest to use. Diamond and ceramic work well. A lot is up to the individual, I've seen VERY sharp edges put on a knife using a piece of fine sandpaper glued to a dead flat surface. I use a belt sander and a "sharpening steel" but this requires LOTS of pratice on scrap steel before attempting it on a real knife. [It's very easy to get the knife hot and draw the temper ruining it].

Pushbutton · Post by **Pushbutton** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:20 pm

For a stone with no frills that gets the job done but can be pricey is a DMT fine and extra fine in the biggest size you can afford. Or you can wade your way through all sorts of natural stones some costing as much as DMT like the Japanese waterstones. But they last forever.
PB

BennytheBlade · Post by **BennytheBlade** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:45 pm

Im using water stone almost exclusively these days... cheaper than the DMT, but still good results.

Mors Profundis · Post by **Mors Profundis** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:33 pm

Get the Razor Edge-the best kit you can afford, and you'll never want for a sharp blade.
A small pocket steel or hone is good for the field.
I've owned a thousand dollars worth of sharpening gadgets in my life-Razor Edge was the first one I bought, and still the best.
I'm in the process of reconstituting my kit, after years of trying other things, because it's the best there is, for my money.

BennytheBlade · Post by **BennytheBlade** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:39 pm

I broke down before Christmas and bought myself an edge pro apex.
really sweet, and fairly idiot proof.

Doc Rocket · Post by **Doc Rocket** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:58 am

I've always loved my Lansky Diamond Sharpening Kit. Keeps an abaslutly perfect sharpening angle on the blade.