I’ve been poking around for a while looking for a better sharpening “system” than I’ve got (red, blue, green DMT “stones”). Time’s coming to pull the trigger.
I know it’s a big topic w/lots of passion/inflammation, and I’ve read and read and read. But I wanted to ask a very narrow question.
Have any of you tried the translucent arkansas stones from http://www.hallsproedge.com/bench.htm#5? If so, I’d be really interested to hear your experiences, especially viz a viz waterstones or the MKII. Use is for chisels and plane irons.
Tangentially, I’d also like to hear from anyone who has successfully used either a sharpening jig w/stone or MKII to sharpening japanese chisels.
Replies
jgourlay,
I have a couple translucent Arkansas stones and to be honest I never use them. I use diamond stones and finish off with a 6,000 grit water stone for 95% of my sharpening. If I have to put a super sharp edge on a tool I will follow this with 1 micron diamond paste using a scrap of MDF as my lapping plate. If you use the diamond paste on MDF you have to pull the tool or else the edge will catch and dig into the surface.
Tom
Tom, why don't you use? Quality of results/lack thereof?
I think the reason many have switched to water stones is that they are less messy than oil stones. Rather than getting cutting oil everywhere you just get water.
For years, I just used my diamond stone and was happy with that. I picked up a cheap waterstone at a sale and figured what the heck. After I used that mirror polished edge I was hooked!
I use diamond stones for fast cutting and a 4,000 grit cheap water stone for final finish. Fast, all use water as the lubricant, couldn't be easier.
I use a cheap General chisel/plane sharpening thing, the one with a roller on the back.
jgourlay,
As Michael stated the diamond seem to cut faster and are less messy. For the final polish the water stone seems to produce as good if not better edge and as an added bonus the cost of a good water stone is about half of what you will pay for a quality Arkansas stone. In all fairness to the Arkansas stones I believe that the oil I use may be the culprit. I use 3 in 1 oil which may be a little too viscous. I have heard of people using kerosine with good results.
Tom
I used a translucent stone sold by Norton in the late 70’s or early 80’s and it worked very well, but now I use 800-2000 grit sandpaper, followed by diamond paste on a piece of maple. This method is cheap and I feel that it is quicker, than my old way of using a combination India stone and then the Arkansas stone. I don't use jigs, since it seems to slow me down.
Rob Millard
rob:
do you use the 3m micofilm paper sold by some woodworking sites? Where do you buy it?
I use the 3M paper sold a Walmart. I get the 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000. I use some spray adhesive to glue them to a piece of glass.
Rob Millard
Thanks, Rob. What kind of spray on adhesive do you use?
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled