New member checking in and a ?

**knifenut1013** · 12-04-2009, 12:05 AM

I thought I would introduce myself hear as this is where I will be spending most of my time. I am a active member of a knife forum and have been collecting and sharpening for a long time, I like talking about knives and especially about sharpening but the sharpening topics are usually basic and there are not many members that have the advanced knowledge to understand the the finer side

My obsession for the sharpest edge has led me to diamond hones and diamond compounds on high quality leather strops. I recently sold all my other stones including a lapped spyderco UF ceramic (kinda kicking myself for that one) and decided to put all my efforts into the diamond hones. I sharpen a lot of high wear resistant steels so ceramics and water stones were not doing me much good and the results I am getting from my DMT EEF were good enough for me to consider it a finishing stone.

Though the DMT EEF does a great job I'm starting to wonder if other finishing stone would be worth my time. I gave up on the water stones (king brand) because they were just not effect enough on the steels I sharpen and even a 8000 grit stone was not yielding the polish expected. The ceramics I liked but they seemed to cause excessive burring and probably some burnishing effects that I'm not real fond of.

So I guess my question is should I be satisfied with what I have now or will other stones or methods bring me to a higher level. My level of polish and sharpness is good but I like the mirror look, diamonds get close but not perfect. I'm also thinking of getting into straight razor shaving and don't know if I'll need a finer stone?

Examples of the results I am achieving now.

DMT EEF on above knife looking edge down

CPM-M4 sharpened with EEF and 1 micron diamond compound

**Sirshavesalot** · 12-04-2009, 12:08 AM

Welcome, but I doubt many people here will want to talk about knives, that's what those other forums are for.

Buy a straight razor for a truly sharp edge.

cheers
D

**holli4pirating** · 12-04-2009, 12:15 AM

King's aren't particularly high quality stones - they work but there's better quality stuff out there. Even the EEF isn't a "high grit" hone by my standards (I'm sure others will say the same).

Most of the knowlede in here will likely be razor-steel and razor honing techniques, so I'm not sure how much help we'll be for knives.

**JimmyHAD** · 12-04-2009, 12:42 AM

Welcome to SRP. If you do follow through and get into straight razor shaving and honing you will find that for someone who loves honing and stones it is a deep well to draw from. Honing razors requires different hones and is not the same as honing knives but IME it is a challenge and offers great satisfaction.

Shaving with straights once learned is so superior to every other method I've tried that I can't promote it with enough enthusiasm. So give it a shot and I think you'll be pleased with what you'll find.

Here is the beginner's guide in the SRP Wiki. There is also a honing section in the Wiki where various rocks and honing methods are discussed.

**knifenut1013** · 12-04-2009, 12:50 AM

Not looking for any help with knives just the edges and the topics here are just more on my level of experience. I figured with my sharpening ability getting a straight razor and keeping it sharp would not be a problem but I am beginning to think I will need something finer. I have had other thin knives sharp enough to do this YouTube - Razor Sharp

**mainaman** · 12-04-2009, 12:58 AM

There is alot of great stones out there that are better for knives than the DMT line.
Chosera, Super Stone, Japanese natural stones.
Kings are very low level for knife sharpening, I find them pretty slow at higher grits, and pretty easy to dish at lower grits. the only King I actually like is the 8k polishing stone.
As far as razors go , totally different than sharpening knives. The only common denominator is sharp edge.
If you really want to talk knives and sharpening try the knife forums

**knifenut1013** · 12-04-2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. If you do follow through and get into straight razor shaving and honing you will find that for someone who loves honing and stones it is a deep well to draw from. Honing razors requires different hones and is not the same as honing knives but IME it is a challenge and offers great satisfaction.

Shaving with straights once learned is so superior to every other method I've tried that I can't promote it with enough enthusiasm. So give it a shot and I think you'll be pleased with what you'll find.

Here is the beginner's guide in the SRP Wiki. There is also a honing section in the Wiki where various rocks and honing methods are discussed.

Its one of the other reasons I joined here, I have coarse facial hair but some what sensitive skin and always end up with razor burn with even the best of store bought razors. I've heard many times that a good shave from a straight razor can't be beat so I want to start covering some of the bases now before I jump in and do it wrong.

Thanks for the Wiki link I'll have to read that when I get some time.

**JimmyHAD** · 12-04-2009, 01:18 AM

I have a number of the DMT 8x3 continuous plates. I use the XX and the DMTC 325 for lapping, the 600 for knives and removing serious chipping from old Sheffield wedges on the rare occasion the need arises.

I've used the 1200 for setting bevels on razors with good results but I now prefer the Naniwa superstone 1k for all but the toughest jobs. I have the DMT 8000 and I've used it with some success on ATS-34 and S-30V razors. Also on some tougher Damascus razors. Some are tougher than others. For bang for the buck I think a Norton 4/8 is hard to beat. It is a sure enough razor hone and may be gentler on HC blades than the DMT 8000.

If you want a hone that would get your razor polished above the DMT 8000 you might look at Naniwas superstone in the 10 or 12k range. A friend of mine who uses the 1200 and 8000 diamond plates on his razors tells me he gets good results with the Spyderco Ultra Fine. Might do well for you on the knives too.

**Sticky** · 12-04-2009, 09:53 AM

I routinely use the DMT 1200 E and EE 8k 3u all the time. After them? Finer Barber hone, Shapton 16k, Naniwa 12k, or Spyderco UF (finely lapped) will all do great. 1 micron diamond paste is popular. Try hitting the 0.25 diamond paste followed by some 0.5 green Chrome Oxide sometime... You can take a straight razor up to "Feather sharp" if you are so inclined. They make 0.3 and 0.1 micron stuff too.

The Spyderco UF, when finely lapped, can be absolutely wicked. It's a bit on the slow side, but nice if you have a bit of patience. I was going to get rid of mine, too. I'm glad I didn't.

So sure, once into straights, I believe you will love it. I am still a knife nut. And the finer honing grits can make a real difference to knife and razor.

**knifenut1013** · 12-04-2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Sticky

I routinely use the DMT 1200 E and EE 8k 3u all the time. After them? Finer Barber hone, Shapton 16k, Naniwa 12k, or Spyderco UF (finely lapped) will all do great. 1 micron diamond paste is popular. Try hitting the 0.25 diamond paste followed by some 0.5 green Chrome Oxide sometime... You can take a straight razor up to "Feather sharp" if you are so inclined. They make 0.3 and 0.1 micron stuff too.

The Spyderco UF, when finely lapped, can be absolutely wicked. It's a bit on the slow side, but nice if you have a bit of patience. I was going to get rid of mine, too. I'm glad I didn't.

So sure, once into straights, I believe you will love it. I am still a knife nut. And the finer honing grits can make a real difference to knife and razor.

Yeah still kicking myself for getting rid of the UF ceramic (it was lapped by spyderco) it would yield perfect mirror finishes but the edges always seemed too smooth and I don't know why. Though going back to the UF ceramic would be the easy thing to do I feel that their must be better options. I like waterstones for the traditional feel now I just need to find the right one.

Any links to places that have a wide selection of waterstones?

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