Wet stones (NOT diamond-based) for knife sharpening

[Gaillo]

Greets!

So far, I've always used diamond sharpeners followed by ceramic rod and (occasionally) leather strop for sharpening my knives. It works well, but is not as sharp as I've seen from professional sharpeners and some "factory" edges. Lately, I've been considering the addition of a waterstone or 3 to the sharpening stable. Completely overwhelmed by the options on the market, though...

Question for this forum's awesomely knowledgeable membership, some of whom I'm sure have waterstone experience: What stone(s) do you recommend, and in what grits, assuming that I'll be doing the "rough" sharpening with diamond up to about 600 grit? Or, should I ditch the diamond altogether and go stone all the way in my quest for the "perfect" edge?

[tater]

Maybe worth a look...

http://www.danswhetstone.com/novaculite_101.htm

[Mouse]

This is what I use. It works very well and requires no electricity. Should be a lifetime tool. Once you have a good edge you can maintain it with a steel or one of the swipe-through sharpeners. Norton Multi-oil stone.


http://www.waltonsinc.com/p-3362-norton-multi-oil-stone.aspx


I am pretty sure this place is the cheapest as well.

[freespirit]

I use a lansky sharpening system. The standard kit is not diamond based, comes w/120 grit coarse, 280 grit medium & 600 grit fine stone as well as all accessories for about $50.

Works REALLY good. I would recommend this kit to anyone.

www.lansky.com

[Dogman]

I have a couple of diamond stones but hardly use them, I have a ceramic block that a friend gave me years ago that was part of a die from a GE light bulb plant that is good for finishing an edge that works well.

But call me old school, I like whet stones. Have several grades and grit sizes but my favorite are my Japaneses water stones for getting the best edge I can when needed. Use the lesser grit stones first then break out the water stones for finishing. I use 1000 grit, 5000 grit, and for the absolute best my 12,000 grit then stropped on my old barber strop.

The only down side to using stones is keeping them absolutely flat when using the ultra fine grit stones. But there are several ways to keep a stone flat and true.

[Gaillo]

I use a lansky sharpening system. The standard kit is not diamond based, comes w/120 grit coarse, 280 grit medium & 600 grit fine stone as well as all accessories for about $50.

Works REALLY good. I would recommend this kit to anyone.

www.lansky.com

That's what I have and currently use, but with the diamond stones instead of the stone ones. It only goes up to about 1,000 grit on the "fine" stone, then there's the "Sapphire" stone that doesn't seem to be any finer or get the knives any sharper than the fine stone. :(

I typically hit the ceramic rod after the fine stone, but I doubt it's much finer than around 2,000.

The reason I'm interested in the water stones, like Dogman is using, is that they are much finer (they are available all the way up to 32,000 grit...) but I doubt I'd personally ever want/need anything beyond about 10,000 grit.

Dogman... what type/brand of water stones are you using? Are you happy with them? Also, is jumping from 1,000 to 5,000 grit a problem? In otherwords, do you ever want something "in between" those grits, or does the 1,000-5,000-12,000 progression work well for you?

Since my sharpening ends at about 1,000 with the Lansky, I'm thinking 2,000-5,000-10,000 for my progression... 3 stones. Maybe 2,500-5,000-12,000. Still researching.

[Dogman]

That's what I have and currently use, but with the diamond stones instead of the stone ones. It only goes up to about 1,000 grit on the "fine" stone, then there's the "Sapphire" stone that doesn't seem to be any finer or get the knives any sharper than the fine stone.

I typically hit the ceramic rod after the fine stone, but I doubt it's much finer than around 2,000.

The reason I'm interested in the water stones, like Dogman is using, is that they are much finer (they are available all the way up to 32,000 grit...) but I doubt I'd personally ever want/need anything beyond about 10,000 grit.

Dogman... what type/brand of water stones are you using? Are you happy with them? Also, is jumping from 1,000 to 5,000 grit a problem? In otherwords, do you ever want something "in between" those grits, or does the 1,000-5,000-12,000 progression work well for you?

Since my sharpening ends at about 1,000 with the Lansky, I'm thinking 2,000-5,000-10,000 for my progression... 3 stones. Maybe 2,500-5,000-12,000. Still researching.

I went and looked at what I have and I do have a 10000 grit! It has been a while since I have used the things. And jumping to the higher grits is more of a time thing, it takes more time go get the edge the stone will give you. But it can be done. I bought the 12,000 grit for my old cutthroat razor, but it will also help on some of my more thinner blades when I want a drop a hair "shaving" edge. I got the water stones from a friend before he passed away, he knew I admired them so I inherited them from him.

Do I like them? You bet I do!

I have not a clue where my friend got his stones, other than they were Japanese water stones.

I bought my 12000 stone from this company. http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Naniwa-Super-Stone-P290C97.aspx I think?

Been a while and can not remember the name but this one is very close.



Edit: From what I understand the Chinese have some good stones if you do your homework.

[Glass]

I thought there was another thread I posted in about Lansky. I'm pretty sure I had some replies from Dogman and others about these sharpening kits.

I ordered one some time back and it finally showed up. Nearly forgot about it. I ordered a deluxe stone kit, not the diamond one. This one comes with 4 stones and one for serrated knives. It uses oil on the stones, not water. I never stopped to think about using water with these.

Does an ok job. I tried it out on my favourite folder which had a small nick in the blade. Don't lend knives to people unless you are ok for some damage that might happen. Small nick that you can only really feel between your finger nails.

Using the stones I spent about 30 minutes with the fine grade and the ultra fine. I suspect that I used the wrong angle on this one and I may have a different bevel on it now but thats ok. I can do it more aggressive another time. And perhaps not quite even on both sides. I need better eyes.

I've got a few other cheap knives to practice on. I don't know if this kit will be the best way to sharpen some of my larger kitchen knives. I guess with practice and patience it can do the job.

Anyway I found my long forgotten cleaver when I was doing a major spring clean so have been using that one again with much enjoyment. I don't know how they got the thing so darn sharp. Quite the useful chopper and easy to maneuver.