Diamond or water stones

[Richard Coers]

Guess I'll add my $.02. Once I learned to grind, my stone technique got very easy. Three strokes on a stone is fine for each grit. I don't make a mess with my King water stones since I lay down the lid from the tub that holds my stones. I don't like diamonds stones for the same reason I don't like carbide insert turning tools. I am a traditionalist and learning to grind and sharpen is just part of being a craftsman. I don't buy something because I want a short cut. Less than 3 minutes on water stones is just perfect for me. I'm 70 years old and still use the stones I bought 35 years ago. Pretty sure they will last the rest of my active years. See how nice proper grinding reduces stone wear?

[Thomas Wilson]

Guess I'll add my $.02. Once I learned to grind, my stone technique got very easy. Three strokes on a stone is fine for each grit. I don't make a mess with my King water stones since I lay down the lid from the tub that holds my stones. I don't like diamonds stones for the same reason I don't like carbide insert turning tools. I am a traditionalist and learning to grind and sharpen is just part of being a craftsman. I don't buy something because I want a short cut. Less than 3 minutes on water stones is just perfect for me. I'm 70 years old and still use the stones I bought 35 years ago. Pretty sure they will last the rest of my active years. See how nice proper grinding reduces stone wear?

“To err is human, to really foul things up requires an eight inch grinder.” -Alexander Pope-Wilson

[Keegan Shields]

Thats why I use a Tormek jig!

[George Yetka]

I started with duo sharps and film. never got anything truly sharp but got good usable edges. Bought up chosera stones 1/2/3/5/10. Now I get pretty amazing edges on my stuff I have a dia-flat plate to true the stones.

With the duo sharp the highest grits are too low. I ended up selling the set. The maintenace is the only thing saved and the maintenance is 20 seconds every few blades sharpened

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I knew a guy who did professional sharpening (as one of this things) and he only used diamonds.

I was told (but never attempted to verify) that the edge left by a diamond left a more jagged edge than many other sharpening mediums. A jagged edge is more likely to break down faster.

I was also told that if I sharpen with a Norton Crystolon stone and a Norton India stone of similar grit, that I should expect a smoother edge from the India stone. For this I think it was related to either particle size (but I thought that was grit) or perhaps how consistent is that grit? Because when you have 400 grit, that really means 400 +/- something. But the Crystolon will leave deeper scratches that are more difficult to get out. I assume that a diamond probably has similar qualities.

In reality does any of this matter? I don't really know. Using what you have is a great thing. If you want something very fine that will not need to be flattened, you also have other choices such as Spyderco Ceramic stones. I prefer the Norton Ascent Ceramic Stones because they are guaranteed flat and apparently some people have had to flatten their Spyderco Ceramic stones. Exteremely Fine Ascent Ceramic Stones are listed at about 8000 grit and Fine about 4000 Grit. You can use them dry (or not) and in general you do not need to flatten them.

That said, your total system is more important. I use a Tormek to establish a hollow grind and then I free hand on my Shapton Glass stones usually stopping at 16K but I also have the 30K stone. If you learn to strop, you probably do not need anything that fine.

[Assaf Oppenheimer]

Ill offer my 2 cents. I love my shaptons but i have and use DMT plates on cap irons, card scrapers and anything else i am worried will gouge the waterstones.

[Mike Brady]

Well, that settles that!

[Sam E Miller]

There really should be a definitive thread on this damn sharpening question to settle this once and for all! Oh wait, that’s been done about 19,000 times!

Personally, I use stones made from crushed unicorn teeth, with camel saliva as a lubricant. I’ve found this combination is THE ULTIMATE sharpening system.

I find these threads hilarious 🤣

[Jim Koepke]

There really should be a definitive thread on this damn sharpening question to settle this once and for all! Oh wait, that’s been done about 19,000 times!

Personally, I use stones made from crushed unicorn teeth, with camel saliva as a lubricant. I’ve found this combination is THE ULTIMATE sharpening system.

I find these threads hilarious ��

Merry Christmas Sam. If everyone used the same steel to do the same tasks as everyone else, then a definitive thread on sharpening might emerge.

Since there are so many paths to the same end, we will likely continue to wander on every path available until the end of time.

My thoughts on many subjects is to look at things as if the inquiry is from someone reading their first post as a newcomer to the hobby.

If someone somewhere learns something new from such a so often repeated subject, then maybe the world is better for it.

jtk

[Tony Wilkins]

Merry Christmas Sam. If everyone used the same steel to do the same tasks as everyone else, then a definitive thread on sharpening might emerge.

Since there are so many paths to the same end, we will likely continue to wander on every path available until the end of time.

My thoughts on many subjects is to look at things as if the inquiry is from someone reading their first post as a newcomer to the hobby.

If someone somewhere learns something new from such a so often repeated subject, then maybe the world is better for it.

jtk

Here, here! Quite!

[andy bessette]

Merry Christmas Jim. Good post.

[Tom M King]

Like Yogi said, when you come to a fork in the road, take it. I don't think I've missed many fork branches in trying things to sharpen on.

Merry Christmas all!

[Reed Gray]

My whole point in starting this thread was to try to find out if there were any technical advantages to either sharpening system. Other than the maintenance required for the water stones, it seems to be a matter of choice, and what works best for you. Can't really say I learned anything new.

robo hippy

[James Pallas]

I usually think of songs or sayings when reading these threads: Paul Simmons “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover”, Bullwinkles: “It’s a Baffling Mystery”, or the latest: “Unicorn” method, a mythical elusive creature.😂
Jim

[Jim Koepke]

My whole point in starting this thread was to try to find out if there were any technical advantages to either sharpening system. Other than the maintenance required for the water stones, it seems to be a matter of choice, and what works best for you. Can't really say I learned anything new.

robo hippy

On the contrary Reed, you may have learned if your shavings are like the ones in my post on 12/4, then your current system is working fine as it is.

You may have learned a continual quest for a sharper edge can be an expensive journey on a road of diminishing returns.

If you really haven't learned anything new, then you must have known more than your original post indicated.

jtk