I use diamond stones for the vast majority of my honing. Most of the things I sharpen have curved edges, which can dish other stones quickly. Diamond stones stay flat and cut fast. They are also easy to transport and set up.

The Trend Diamond Sharpening Kit keeps everything in one convenient, portable place. The case keeps the contents organized and protected. The two double-sided 3-in. by 8-in. diamond stones in the kit provide four grits—180, 300, 600, and 1,000—marked clearly and permanently on the face of each surface. The 180- and 300-grit stones (70 and 50 micron, respectively) work fast and well for re-establishing a bevel or reshaping an edge. They incorporate an X pattern of clearance channels to keep the upper surface clear of residue. I used them to flatten an old oilstone and the job was done efficiently. I sharpened tools on the 180- and 300-grit stones and the X pattern did not interfere at all.

The 600- and 1,000-grit stones (25 and 15 micron) quickly flatten and hone a bevel. The provided lapping fluid eases sharpening and protects the stones against rust. A high-quality 3-in. by 8-in. leather strop is provided, along with a bar of stropping compound. Especially after a break-in period, I was able to go from the 1,000-grit stone to the strop and get a very good edge. The large surface of these stones would be ideal for sharpening wide plane irons with a honing guide. I also really liked it for sharpening large kitchen knives.

—Dave Fisher

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