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Yet another sharpening question. Specific questions about starter stone sets.

post #1 of 3
1/21/11 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 

I've been sharpening my own pocket knives with varying degrees of success with different systems since I was a kid. Though I've grown to like my Lansky 5 stone set, it's not suited very well to the large kitchen knives

 

I've spent time on the 'net and this site trying to gather info, but of course the sheer volume of information can be daunting.

 

If  money were no object, I'd go straight for an Edge Pro system and never look back. However, since I have to deal with reality and a budget, I figure taking the time to master sharpening by free-hand (my weakness)  is certainly worth it in the long run in terms of cost and versatility. The question then becomes what stones to start with.  I know many people recommend water stones, but I have some experience with oil stones and don't mind them. Plus, they're reasonably cheap.

 

My small stable of kitchen knives includes 2 old carbon steel Sabatiers, a few Forschners and various cheep-o grocery store stainless knives that are used for sharpening practice, puncturing tin cans and little else.  In that light, what do you fine folks think of these set-ups as a reasonable starter set given I'm just a home cook who wants sharp everyday knives? They seem to be good "bang for the buck" options.

 

Kit 1:  Unspecified Norton 8x2 Course/Fine India combi-stone and Norton 8x2 Soft/Hard Arkansas Combi/stone plus oil. Both in wooden cases. $59.99 + shipping. Sharpening Supplies   Seems like a great value.

 

Kit 2:  Norton IB8  8x2x3/4, Course/Fine India combi-stone plus a Norton IM50 (SIMCS8 plus sharpening station ) 8x2x3/4 Medium India / Soft Arkansas combi-stone. I believe both stones would fit the plastic sharpening station that also includes a cheap plastic guide and a can of "sharpening oil" (expensive lamp oil).  $79.90, free shipping. Cutlery and More

 

Kit 3:  One of the following individual Norton 8x3x1/2 stones in their own plastic cases, plus a can of that overpriced oil  - Coarse Crysolon, Medium India, Fine India, Soft Arkansas.  $99.99, free shipping. Sharpening Supplies

 

Or is the two combi-stone (220/1000 & 4000/8000 ) Norton water stone + flattening stone kit from Sharpening Supplies enough of a performance jump to be worth it at $134.99?

 

<edit to add> Or what about a Norton IB8 India Course/Fine Plus a Hall's Soft Ark? And what of Norton vs. Halls Arkansas stones?  Heck, now I'm confusing myself. Am I nuts for not starting out with water stones? I planned on trying the water stones wet anyway.  A set of Naniwa Super stones in 220, 1000 and 3000 seem like and admirable start as well.

 

Add to any of the above an Idahone ceramic hone to complete the kit.

 

I'm not brand loyal to Norton in any way, but they do have a known reputation and buying either "kit" from their respective vendors saves a bit on shipping, driving around, etc. I'm open to any suggestions about the above or any other ideas. Just keep in mind that I'm not likely to suddenly buy high end Japanese cutlery any time soon and can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on stones for "Best in budget class" and heirloom carbon knives. I'm quite happy with the stamped steel Forschners and old K-Sabs and will likely expand my kit over time with other high value knives.

 

Thanks,

 

Doug


Edited by Phreon - 1/21/11 at 4:00pm
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post #2 of 3
1/24/11 at 6:38am

Norton IB-8 coarse/fine India combi

Norton IM-50 sharpening station

Hall's (not Norton!) Soft Arkansas (with the idea of adding a Hall's Surgical Black later) or a Hall's Hard Arkansas.

 

If your budget allows you to choose between a IM50 and a Hall's Black, get the black now and hold off on the sharpening station.  There are a lot of things which cost pennies and work almost as well as the "sharpening station."  

 

You don't need to use "honing oil," but if you decide to do so you can use ordinary mineral oil (from the pharmacy) and thin it down a little with mineral spirits.  You can use ordinary dish detergent, soapy water, plain water or go dry just as well as honing oil.  When I sharpen on oilstones, I almost always sharpen dry.  In any case it's important to keep your stones clean.

 

Not all Arkansas stones are created equal.  The Hall's are better than the Nortons across the board, and less expensive too.  However, I'm not a big fan of any of the hard Arks currently quarried. You can go from a fine India to a hard Ark without any problem, but you'll end up with much better edges if you follow a soft with a black.  As I understand it the problem is the quality of the stones coming out of the ground and not the particular grit level.  

 

You can't beat the Norton India series (India is a Norton trade name for man-made aluminum oxide stones) for efficiency, quality and value.  But you don't need a kit which has all three grit levels.  You can get by with a medium but the pair of coarse and fine are better.  You'll only want to use the coarse for repairs or once a year or so for thinning and reprofiling, but it's nice to have when you want it.  The fine draws a burr very quickly -- and you don't need (or want) anything coarser for ordinary sharpening.

 

I suggest staying away from Arkansas combi stones.  They tend to separate. 

 

Hope this helps,

BDL

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post #3 of 3
1/24/11 at 6:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the advice!

 

I think I'll grab an IB8 from our local knife dealer (check out Cecil Clark's, if you're ever in SW Ohio) and order a Hall's soft Ark.  It'll take me a while to gain a steady enough hand to really put a black Ark to good use and it's easier to budget anyway. Who wants to be in the position of having to choose between a saute pan or what is essentially an expensive rock?

 

The IB8 is advertised as being pre-oiled. Should I decide to use it dry or with water, should I boil it first?

 

Many thanks,

 

Doug

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