whetstone recommendations?

[Aaron-in-CO]

ok, steel geeks, does anyone have strong opinions about particular whetstone brands/products?

I have some random 400/1000 grit whetstone from Amazon that has served me well so far, but I am looking to buy a high-grit whetstone (somewhere between 3000-8000) for the finer work/touchups. I could be convinced to go with another combo whetstone that includes a high-grit or just a single grit whetstone.

I'm not aware of any brands that are the "go-to" or "gold-standard" of whetstones. Is there such a thing?

 

[arlenmyles]

I do all my own sharpening on a stone for many years. I have found that 400 and a 1 micron strop is all that I need. If I was looking to fine tune it, id go up to 1000 but thats it. DMT makes some good diamond stones. Natural stones can dish out creating an uneven surface. I just replace the diamond stones when they wear out.

4 Stone DMT 6" Whetstone Kit

Description The 6" DMT Diamond Whetstone is the stone that introduced many of us to the DMT line of diamond stones. This stone is versatile because it is small enough to be portable, but still large enough for many sharpening tasks. Because it is made of 100% monocrystalline diamond, there is no...

www.sharpeningsupplies.com

 

[thechad]

This King Whetstone has been great for me. As long as you don't let your knives get extremely dull, this should do the job.

 

[dtrkyman]

I buy cheap wet sand paper, hot glue it to a piece of trim board or similar, 550, 1000, 3000, 6000, finish with a strop(old belt).

I like it better than my stone, the sections of grit are longer than the stone.

 

[arwhntr]

I just returned from a trip to Japan and came home with a handful of high end kitchen knives. Picked up these whetstones on Amazon. Used them to sharpen some existing knives and worked really well. Might add an even finer grit (~10,000+) in the near future.

 

[cravingame]

The Best Guide to Japanese Whetstones -Watch before you buy one

I bought the following (plus the Chosera #3000 AND A DIAMOND FLATTENING STONE) and am very happy! This wasn't the cheapest route but I have been down the rabbit hole of all the "special/new gadget" sharpeners. I sharpen knives, broadheads, and wood working tools. I prefer high quality "buy once cry once" over saving money now!

 

[FlyAK]

Another vote for DMT. I have an 8” extra fine (1200 grit I think) diamond stone that puts a razor edge on everything from knives to my broadheads. It’s easy to clean and lasts forever.

 

[grainhog]

Diamond stones often don't come totally flat, and can't really be flattened. May not matter much if you're not flattening plane irons or chisels for fine stuff. In any case my favorite waterstones are Norton:

Norton Water Stone Kit

SAVE when you buy the Norton Water Stone Kit versus purchasing these stones separately. Water stones have earned a loyal following because they sharpen very quickly and are available in extremely fine grits. This Water Stone Kit contains everything you will need for sharpening your tools and...

www.sharpeningsupplies.com

Really consistent density and slow to wear in my opinion. Just be careful about contaminating the higher grits with metal or debris from the coarser stones. But doesn't matter for just knives and whatnot. Coarse DMT stones are great for hogging through material.

 

[EdP]

I always preferred natural stones until 3 years ago I bought a knife with a SV35 blade and just could not get it sharp. Someone on another forum recommended I try a diamond "stone." My research said electroplated stainless was the best diamond stone so I bought a Sharpal 325/1200. So far the 325 side has not gotten used. For final finish and touch up I made a leather strop and treated it with 0.5 micron diamond spray from Handamerican.com. The combo works great for me. The knives that get sharpened most often are kitchen knives and it is rare for them to need work on the stone. A quick touch up on the strop is usually all that is required to have them back to shaving sharp.

 

[Lawnboi]

If you just want to buy one.

Fallkniven DC521 Benchstone

Shop over 20,000 knives from Bark River, Spyderco, Microtech, Benchmade, and more. Hard-to-find knives, DLT-exclusive deals, and custom knife engraving.

www.dlttrading.com

I also second going to the automotive section and grabbing an assortment pack of wet sand paper in 800-2000 grit.

A leather strop is nice to have to finish it off, I also use mine as a pad for the sandpaper.

I only really use a stone when the edge is really messed up.

 

[Shoot870p]

Sharpmaster. Think it is by spiderco

 

[doc holiday13]

Diamond stones often don't come totally flat, and can't really be flattened. May not matter much if you're not flattening plane irons or chisels for fine stuff. In any case my favorite waterstones are Norton:

Norton Water Stone Kit

SAVE when you buy the Norton Water Stone Kit versus purchasing these stones separately. Water stones have earned a loyal following because they sharpen very quickly and are available in extremely fine grits. This Water Stone Kit contains everything you will need for sharpening your tools and...

www.sharpeningsupplies.com

Really consistent density and slow to wear in my opinion. Just be careful about contaminating the higher grits with metal or debris from the coarser stones. But doesn't matter for just knives and whatnot. Coarse DMT stones are great for hogging through material.

x2 for Norton stones

combo 220/1000 and combo 4000/8000. if you can hold the angle you'll get some scary sharp knives bringing them up to a 8k grind

 

[chicoredneck]

I use DMT diamond stones. I have medium, fine, extra fine stones and can put an incredibly sharp edge on even tough steels.

 

[Squirrel Master]

It's not a traditional flat stone, but I use a Spoyderco Sharpmaker. It has done great for me for years, on several different types of blade steels.

 

[intunegp]

Venev resin-bonded diamond stones are awesome.

 

[Chris B]

I use DMT diamond stones. I have medium, fine, extra fine stones and can put an incredibly sharp edge on even tough steels.

This ,
I used natural stones for years , won't go back .

 

[mcseal2]

I use a bench version of the Worksharp guided sharpener at home, their field sharpener in camp, and a strop. I have the ceramic rod from an old Cabelas sharpener in my kill kit, the glue failed in Alaska and the wood handle fell off. It actually packs a lot better now. It's good to touch up a blade while I rest my back for a minute while breaking down an animal.

Most of my knives I use a lot are 3V steel, S35, or AEB-L. The one I horizontal carry on my left side when riding horses is carbon 52100. A few convex blades I use a strop glued to a section of mouse pad or a Micro Mesh 3"x4" pad of various grits.

 

[Mully]

Another vote for a DMT 8" diamond here.