Thread: Best knife sharpening system?

Originally Posted by suthy

Sorry this has probably been asked before but what does everyone use to sharpen the good quality steels which are known to be harder to sharpen?

I'm thinking of getting a decent set of water stones (600-8000 grit) but I'm open to other quicker/cheaper options if there's something better out there.

Thanks in advance.

For the very hard steels get a good quality diamond stone for course grits, they cut faster than natural stone. Finish on natural stone if needed.

I use a dmt fine/extra fine then 6k water stone then strop.
The dmt fine is pretty aggressive and will do about everything you need short of reprofiling.

For my hunting/butchery knives I only take it to the xtra fine then strop. This will get it shaving sharp while still having a little tooth to it.

800 is pretty coarse, most will want to go finer. Dont be scared of sharpening on a stone either, heaps of info on the web and it really isnt hard. Once you learn you will never have a dull kniglfe again.

Final note, especially true with the super steels but it's much easier to keep a knife sharp than make a knife sharp again. Good maintenance of an edge will make life way easier. Strop and compound are the way to go.