Sharpening Stones Question
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Tagged: diamond plate, grit, oil stones, sharpening, water stones
- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 4 months ago by Dave Ring.
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28 November 2018 at 2:08 pm #553572
Hey everyone
First time posting here, but long time lurker and fan of Paul’s work. I have a question about sharpening systems. I live and work in the U.S. Virgin Islands so my local selection of sharpening stones or diamond plates is extremely limited. Suffice it to say that I have gotten by with some basic run of the mill stones from….well…I don’t know where because I have had them for years as they were passed down to me by my father-in-law from Grenada.
But now I am looking to invest in a new sharpening set up. I have read a lot of reviews and of course watched and learned from Paul, but as still super confused on what my be best for me. I have boiled it down to I think 2 selections: Oil Stone or Diamond Plate.
I prefer oil over water stones because of the “water” issue. By that I mean that rust is an especially evil critter for me here in the Caribbean as I live in a climate where the average temperature hovers at 89 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level hovering at 90%. So any chance I get to avoid water and my tools I take :).
So knowing that I am looking for Oil or Diamond, the next road upon which I have become lost is what grit. Right now, I have no idea what grit I am using because the three stones are of unknown origin. I just know that one is rough, the 2nd less rough and the 3rd smoother than the rest.
I am thinking that I will need something along the lines of 800-1000 grit, a 1500-2500 grit and then maybe a 6000-8000 grit.
So after all that above (and thank you for reading this far) and knowing that I will buy 3 oil or diamond sharpener (maybe 2 diamond as I see that some come with reversible sides?) my questions are really :
1. What grit levels do people find as the right balance?
2. What are the best overall manufacturers?Thanks a million everyone and have a great day.
28 November 2018 at 5:57 pm #553586i have the DMT sharpening plates Great 250-600-1200.
I love then and use them at home. At school, I’ve procured some versions from harbor freight that work well, just a lil smaller, a lot smaller in price. Ive also bought some diamond plates out of china that are very thin, but only 3-4$ a piece. i use the 80/100 grit one get there fast/ grind a bevel.
keep it sharp, and keep it moving. get back to making!
Ron
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