Will someone give me advice on sharpening stones? I have been looking for something to put a razor edge on my kitchen knives and hand tools. It seems there are a lot of bench stones from all parts of the world claiming to be the best for sharpening. There are even diamond impregnated stones.

I’m hoping to find something in the $50 or less range.

 

I use a steele like the butchers use, my grandfather was a butcher and he showed me how to use one, they make a very sharp edge, the main thing is never let a knife get really dull, always keep an edge on it. my .25c worth

 

Smith's makes some good diamond surfaced stones(at Lowe's). Watch out using a Steele. They can cause more harm than good. My Grandfather was also a butcher, and you really need to know how to use a Steele to make it effective. I advise doing a bit of reading. Nothing like a sharp knife. I'd get a course and finish stone. Mine are the largest ones they make. Mine are made by DMT. I bought them from a professional tool store....I also use them to sharpen tools (chisels etc.)

 

different tools need different tools and techniques for sharpening.

Kitchen knives and pocket knives, I use a steel rod.
Axe, and machetes, I have an 2X6x1 Arkansas stone.
Lawn mower blades, chain saws, mauls, I use a Nicholson file.
Scissors I use a 1X2X1/2" arkansas stone
different tools for differnet uses.

 

If its your hunting blades. Get a Lansky......

 

Lansky is good and will keep your angle constant......I prefer Cutting Edge........more convenient.

 

Are these the same Arkansas stones we use that cost $500 a pop? White ones?

 

I don't know where you saw them for $500 but you can buy Ar whet stones at any state park or even Wal-Mart for under $10 IIRC. Those are the ones that are probably 5x1x.50. Yes, and those are the white ones.

 

size matters on arkansas stones.
5X1X1/2 are $10 to $15
6X2X1 are $20 to $30
I haven't seen them much larger than 6X2X1 other than dual texture.
My grandpa had a while foot powered round arkansas stone that was about 2 ft diameter and 4" wide. I could see that being a $500 stone.

anyway, they usually aren't that expensive in the smaller sizes.

 

Thanks, that info is just what I needed. It looks like one type of stone will not work for all knives. I went to the Lansky site and found both hard and soft Arkansas stones for a reasonable price along with the guides for sharpening. Another site recommended diamond for hard steels like chisels and planer knives.
My $50 price limit just moved higher. I appreciate the advice.

 

I cheat, I use the lansky system, holds the blade at the same angle and makes em real sharp...... link tot he item, can be found cheaper if ya look : https://www.sworddemon.com/p-2282-la...ening-kit.aspx

 

I really cant get a thin blade sharp on a stone..

 

The ones we use at work are 6x2x1, super fine coarseness. Use them on the thrust collars on 400+ MW turbines.

We use the dual coarseness combination bench stones for reg cleaning. Those are more in the order of $15. Norton is the brand.

 

I have a Gatco sharpener (similar to a Lansky). Bought mine at Cabelas. Works great, keeps a consistant angle on the blade.

http://www.gatcosharpeners.com/produ...0B031E5C601537

From what I learned about stones, the diamond stones main use is on titanium blades.

 

Once You Get All Knicks Out And Edge Ground At Proper Angle - A Leather Strop Works Really Well- I`m A Wood Carver And Am Constantly Stroping My Knives & Gouges - They Stay Sharp And As Long As You Strop At A Proper Angle Never Nead Using A Stone Again- If You Strop At Two Great Of An Angle You Will Round The Edge.
Strop Should Be Attached To Hardwood Board And Pigskin Is One Of The Best Because It Is Thin And Helps Keep From Rounding Cutting Edge.
If You Were To Look At A Knife Edge Under A Magnifing Glass You Will Notice Groves Left From Stone -strop Polishes These Groves Out And The Smother The Cutting Edge The Sharper A Knife Is.