Recommend me some sharpening stones

[libertysnake]

So, for reasons of room, I can't go the belt sander route on this to get one of the convenience sharpeners, or make a sharpening wheel with compound.

Looking for a good set of sharpening stones. These have been working fairly well, in combo with a strop covered in extra-fine compound to finish:

https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-TRI-6-Arkansas-TRI-HONE-Sharpening/dp/B00062BIT4

Still, I'm just falling shy of the smooth paper cut test each time. Want to up my sharpening stone game and see if I can start getting my knives razor sharp.

Any recommendations for distributors? I've been looking at Dan's Whetstone, but their costs are quite pricey for the finer grain Arkansas stones, like translucent or black.

 

[Michael]

What are you looking to sharpen? I have a cheap, diamond sharpener thingie from harbor freight that's 200,300,400, and 600 grit. Not the best quality, but works. I also have one of those cheap dual sided stones. I keep that one in a bucket when I'm out in the woods and need to keep axes, hatchets, etc sharp. It works well enough and I won't get upset if I lose it. For really nice stuff I use a combination of a couple of edge-pro water stones and really fine sand paper (up to 2000 grit or higher) on a flat plate. The edge-pro stones are very nice, but small, 1"x6". They are around $20 each on Amazon. There are cheaper brands, but the reviews were saying that when soaked in water, they tended to come off the metal backing. The combination of those things works well, but I would not use them to sharpen a shaving razor. For that I'm saving up to get some bigger Norton water stones that are wide enough to put the whole blade on.

 

[freddy]

What are you looking to sharpen? I have a cheap, diamond sharpener thingie from harbor freight that's 200,300,400, and 600 grit. Not the best quality, but works. I also have one of those cheap dual sided stones. I keep that one in a bucket when I'm out in the woods and need to keep axes, hatchets, etc sharp. It works well enough and I won't get upset if I lose it. For really nice stuff I use a combination of a couple of edge-pro water stones and really fine sand paper (up to 2000 grit or higher) on a flat plate. The edge-pro stones are very nice, but small, 1"x6". They are around $20 each on Amazon. There are cheaper brands, but the reviews were saying that when soaked in water, they tended to come off the metal backing. The combination of those things works well, but I would not use them to sharpen a shaving razor. For that I'm saving up to get some bigger Norton water stones that are wide enough to put the whole blade on.

This Norton, correct?

https://www.amazon.com/Norton-Japanese-Style-Combination-Waterstone-8-Inch/dp/B0006NFDPI

 

[libertysnake]

What are you looking to sharpen? I have a cheap, diamond sharpener thingie from harbor freight that's 200,300,400, and 600 grit. Not the best quality, but works. I also have one of those cheap dual sided stones. I keep that one in a bucket when I'm out in the woods and need to keep axes, hatchets, etc sharp. It works well enough and I won't get upset if I lose it. For really nice stuff I use a combination of a couple of edge-pro water stones and really fine sand paper (up to 2000 grit or higher) on a flat plate. The edge-pro stones are very nice, but small, 1"x6". They are around $20 each on Amazon. There are cheaper brands, but the reviews were saying that when soaked in water, they tended to come off the metal backing. The combination of those things works well, but I would not use them to sharpen a shaving razor. For that I'm saving up to get some bigger Norton water stones that are wide enough to put the whole blade on.

I sharpen three things at home: My EDC knives / box opening knives, the kitchen knives, my girlfriend's fabric sheers (which are incredibly fucking difficult to get razor sharp). I'm not sharpening axes or anything like that.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Hillary's ass cheeks.

 

[Michael]

This Norton, correct?

https://www.amazon.com/Norton-Japanese-Style-Combination-Waterstone-8-Inch/dp/B0006NFDPI

Yes. I'm wanting to get a set from 220 to 12k. Not an easy task when they are expensive each and I'm just another poor homeowner living in NY.

I sharpen three things at home: My EDC knives / box opening knives, the kitchen knives, my girlfriend's fabric sheers (which are incredibly fucking difficult to get razor sharp). I'm not sharpening axes or anything like that.

You would probably be ok with the edge pro stones or similar. I can get my pocket knife and kitchen knives shaving sharp with relative ease. The hardest part is actually making sure the angles are correct.

 

[libertysnake]

Yes. I'm wanting to get a set from 220 to 12k. Not an easy task when they are expensive each and I'm just another poor homeowner living in NY.


You would probably be ok with the edge pro stones or similar. I can get my pocket knife and kitchen knives shaving sharp with relative ease. The hardest part is actually making sure the angles are correct.

Well, generally I place the knife down, and I try to feel the apex gently cutting the surface of the stone. You want to remove a little material. I made the mistake, early on, of just polishing the sides of the apex out of fear I'd damage the edge -- that's the point, you want to damage / remove material as you go to sharpen it.

If It's ever too steep of an angle, I revert to my old behavior and that helps increase the angle without touching the apex much -- IE, I lay the knife's edge on the stone as a guide, but don't actively grind the apex (just along it, to increase my angle).

That's served me well so far.

 

[Michael]

Hillary's ass cheeks.

Pretty sure the hair would round over the edge.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a set of Norton waterstones they are nice size and do a pretty good job. Belgium coticule for razor edge but a decent size is ridiculously expensive.

 

[soylentBlue]

I like the Lansky system because of the angle guide.
Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System | Lansky
If you want Arkansas stone
Natural Arkansas Knife Sharpening System | Lansky Sharpeners

 

[libertysnake]

I like the Lansky system because of the angle guide.
Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System | Lansky
If you want Arkansas stone
Natural Arkansas Knife Sharpening System | Lansky Sharpeners

I definitely want to get a nice Arkansas set -- I only have a single hard stone in the tri-hone I have. Will look into this, but I'm open to other stuff like diamond as well.

 

[CaseHardened]

What are you looking to sharpen? I have a cheap, diamond sharpener thingie from harbor freight that's 200,300,400, and 600 grit. Not the best quality, but works. I also have one of those cheap dual sided stones. I keep that one in a bucket when I'm out in the woods and need to keep axes, hatchets, etc sharp. It works well enough and I won't get upset if I lose it. For really nice stuff I use a combination of a couple of edge-pro water stones and really fine sand paper (up to 2000 grit or higher) on a flat plate. The edge-pro stones are very nice, but small, 1"x6". They are around $20 each on Amazon. There are cheaper brands, but the reviews were saying that when soaked in water, they tended to come off the metal backing. The combination of those things works well, but I would not use them to sharpen a shaving razor. For that I'm saving up to get some bigger Norton water stones that are wide enough to put the whole blade on.

Arkansas ? No way.

I had a couple of the highly regarded Norton large Tri-Stones. Back at the time the best stone of of the set was a near-transluscent hard black Arkanasas. Thirty years ago they sold for over $200. They still sucked. I was thrilled when I sold them.

A nice Diamond stone with Synthetic Japanese Water Stones are far superior.

Keep the really coarse Diamond Stone handy to keep the Jap Stones FLAT and you'll be good.

Of course if you start with shit steel you're going nowhere.

Hi-Carbon is best, but some Stainless is ok.

Chrome/Moly is excellent.

BTW, F all the gadgets. If you can't get skilled at holding a blade at the right angle with your own two hands I pity you.

PS: 90% of troubles people have is because they are not sticking their Stones IN A VISE (or clamped down).

If the stone is moving you are F-D !!

 

[CaseHardened]

This Norton, correct?

https://www.amazon.com/Norton-Japanese-Style-Combination-Waterstone-8-Inch/dp/B0006NFDPI

Combined with the FLATTENING STONE that would likely be quite nice.

AFTER you cobble together a wooden base for that stone that you can clamp down.

A stone that moves is worthless.

(And a nice cover to prevent damage.)

 

[CaseHardened]

What are you looking to sharpen? I have a cheap, diamond sharpener thingie from harbor freight that's 200,300,400, and 600 grit. Not the best quality, but works. I also have one of those cheap dual sided stones. I keep that one in a bucket when I'm out in the woods and need to keep axes, hatchets, etc sharp. It works well enough and I won't get upset if I lose it. For really nice stuff I use a combination of a couple of edge-pro water stones and really fine sand paper (up to 2000 grit or higher) on a flat plate. The edge-pro stones are very nice, but small, 1"x6". They are around $20 each on Amazon. There are cheaper brands, but the reviews were saying that when soaked in water, they tended to come off the metal backing. The combination of those things works well, but I would not use them to sharpen a shaving razor. For that I'm saving up to get some bigger Norton water stones that are wide enough to put the whole blade on.

That HF Stone is the best $10 you'll ever spend.

Excellent for beginners, and for just kicking around in the kitchen.

 

[CaseHardened]

For Axes a SINGLE CUT (never Double Cut) Handled Mill File is just the thing.

But for the love of God, don't buy any Chinese File.

The Chinese do a lot of tools justice - but HF sells awful Hand Files.

 

[libertysnake]

Combined with the FLATTENING STONE that would likely be quite nice.

AFTER you cobble together a wooden base for that stone that you can clamp down.

A stone that moves is worthless.

(And a nice cover to prevent damage.)

I actually do have a diamond lapping stone for grinding down whetstone and Arkansas stone after it becomes deformed with use.

 

[CaseHardened]

I actually do have a diamond lapping stone for grinding down whetstone and Arkansas stone after it becomes deformed with use.

Smart Man

 

[libertysnake]

Smart Man

I've never had to use it on the small Arkansas stone I do have. The thing has held up great.

I've used it definitely for the whetstones I have though, and the synthetic coarse on the tri-hone after it got some chips here and there after I used to remove a bunch of burs in the kitchen knives.

How do you feel about oil vs water / non-oil based honing solution?

Normally I use water, but I've been using the smiths honing solution (not oil based), and I'm liking it so far. The smiths is a little viscous, and a few drops is all you need for the entire stone surface if you smooth it with your finger. It took me a good three months to go through the 4 ounce bottle I had, which ran about $4 on amazon or so.

 

[CaseHardened]

I've never had to use it on the small Arkansas stone I do have. The thing has held up great.

I've used it definitely for the whetstones I have though, and the synthetic coarse on the tri-hone after it got some chips here and there after I used to remove a bunch of burs in the kitchen knives.

How do you feel about oil vs water / non-oil based honing solution?

Normally I use water, but I've been using the smiths honing solution (not oil based), and I'm liking it so far. The smiths is a little viscous, and a few drops is all you need for the entire stone surface if you smooth it with your finger. It took me a good three months to go through the 4 ounce bottle I had, which ran about $4 on amazon or so.

I despise OIL.

It's messy, costly, and to me seems counterproductive - as oil forms a thin film that PREVENTS contact.

I never enjoyed sharpening when oil was involved.

Use a Water Stone - Clamp the sucka STILL.

Forget all the silly devices.

And never forget to keep it FLAT.

In no time at all sharpening will be a joy.

BTW, my favorite test is dragging an edge across a fingernail VERY lightly. When you feel it grab, you know you've got one sharp bastard in your paws.

Oh, there are thousand other tricks and such. But once you can create a sharp edge at all, the extra esoteric crap just becomes an extension of the fun.

And - there are CERAMIC blades, too. I don't like them much. Too brittle for my taste.

 

[libertysnake]

I despise OIL.

It's messy, costly, and to me seems counterproductive - as oil forms a thin film that PREVENTS contact.

Agreed, it's very messy. The only oil I use, is just some left over mpro7 CPX I have. I put the smallest possible dot on some paper towel and just give the blade a small wipe to give it a layer of protection / conditioning, to the point most people wouldn't even notice the oil on it.

Then again, I also get some protection from the honing solution, so it might not even be necessary.

For the kitchen knives, I use some almond oil since it's nothing harmful to swallow.

 

[CaseHardened]

For woodworking I have olde Japanese Chisels and old German Ulmia Chisels (30 years old - bought back then new). Either are Carbon Steel and hold an incredible edge.

I have nice Japanese Kitchen Knives - but they are too nice to use ! DUH.

So I mainly use cheap knives, Made in Japan, but similar to https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-kit...03626&sr=8-5&keywords=japanese+kitchen+knives

The core is carbon, with sides of stainless.

Very easy to sharpen, and VERY sharp.

I've used two (a long and a short) for 30 years. They would cut a finger clean to the bone in an instant with no more than a puff of air if I let them.

The point is, at least in the kitchen, really effective knives don't have to cost much.

 

[CaseHardened]

Buy Japanese Kitchen Knives at JapanWoodworker.com

is a REAL source for fairly priced, authentic knives.

There, even the cheap ones will exceed expectations.

Sharpening Stones, too.

 

[CaseHardened]

7-3/4" Sushi (Slicing) Knife

Nice

 

[Acer-m14]

FREE STONE when i was in the Navy i used to sharpen knifes i used a jewelers file and drawed filed it to shaving edge ..

but this is FREE

 

[Acer-m14]

BTW, my favorite test is dragging an edge across a fingernail VERY lightly. When you feel it grab, you know you've got one sharp bastard in your paws.

i tested on my Italian forearm hair .. nice clean dry shave

 

[CaseHardened]

FREE STONE when i was in the Navy i used to sharpen knifes i used a jewelers file and drawed filed it to shaving edge ..

but this is FREE

DRAW FILE

Not one in a hundred have any clue what you just said.

 

[Acer-m14]

@CaseHardened

 

[Acer-m14]

not only works on knifes but any flat surface you want to file flat .. the file goes sideways .. not straight

 

[libertysnake]

Had to file my AKT-EL trigger to make it fit with the bolt carrier on my AKs so I'm familiar with the process.

Random note: There is a small frog that lives in the drain pipe from the gutters. Thing is loud as hell right now.

 

[CaseHardened]

@CaseHardened

I like it !

But I'd wish he spent a little time on emphasizing the file needs to be Single Cut.

And chalking the file.

But for a fellow that does little but TALK, I'm no expert.