Thread: I received a BBW for Knife Sharpening.

I don't think I've posted this yet...

I tried a couple of knives on the BBW, and it definitely made a noticeable improvement upon the edge off of Arkansas Translucent or Black stones. I think it was a good logical step up from the 1200+ of the Arkansas Translucent, up to the 4000 of the BBW.

My BBW isn't a Blue / Yellow Combination stone. It's an 8" x 2" x 1/2" solid Blue stone. I haven't taken any pics yet either. I may do a side-by-side of my stone progression in the near future.

I have actually grown pretty fond of using a 750 grit Smith's Diamond Stone to start, then an Arkansas Translucent stone, followed by the Belgian Blue Waterstone to finish. The 750 grit Diamond stone is much more pleasant to start on, than my Soft Arkansas stones are. They will likely be used mainly for Chisels, Hatchets, and Machetes now.

So I guess for me, it's now 750-1200-4000 for Knives.

Welcome to the forums!

BBW is also good for straight razor sharpening, this thread is about hones for razors. Have you tried any of the stones for razor honing yet?

I too like using the 750 grit side off of a Smith's 750 grit DCS4 Diamond Combination sharpener to set the bevel on my razors. It is well broken in, with all of the nickel plating smoothed from the top of the diamond particles from sharpening wool turning chisels and knives so the grit is nice and even.

I really do not think a BBW is a 4k stone. I'd say the finish they leave is more like a 6 or 7k.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I really do not think a BBW is a 4k stone. I'd say the finish they leave is more like a 6 or 7k.

I agree...even though most rate it around a 4k I have noticed a definate improvement on the BBW over my 4k Norton.

this thread is about hones for razors. Have you tried any of the stones for razor honing yet?

Thanks for the welcome. Not to be too picky, but while this forum may be about Razor hones, this thread is not. I read so much positive information about BBW's, that I thought they sounded like a good natural alternative for knife sharpening, as opposed to synthetic waterstones. I was looking for a good followup stone to use after my Arkansas stones. I definitely like the BBW.