Water Stones?

[Ben]

Does anyone sharpen stuff with water stones? What is your opinion of them?  Amazon has a lightning deal on them right now.

I'm good with oil stones but wondering if there is a significantly greater learning curve to switch to the softer water stones.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

depends on type of metal  i was a chef used both  water stones keep blade cooler when removing larger amounts of metal. i am queer for knives and such.  you know those big mechanics tool boxes?  the stackable ones?  have one full of kitchen knives. and they are all spares

[Ben]

The Amazon (Norton) stones are a kit. I was looking at using the coarser grits on knives and the 8000 grit to (carefully) give sharpening a straight razor a try. I know a lot of people use them on tools, but I probably wouldn't (or would rarely) use them for that. My understanding is that tool sharpening will wear them down a lot faster.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

yea i'd never use em on tools and they are reserved for my better knives. i use a diamond hone machine and a steel for regular knives. some of these blades are heirlooms to me   gifts from chefs i was lucky enough to train under.

http://www.bing.com/shopping/chefs-choice-diamond-hone-3-stage-electric-knife-sharpener/p/D3355F884E2747E3B152?q=diamond+hone+knife+sharpener&lpq=diamond%20hone%20knife%20sharpener&FORM=HURE

[lupinus]

Water stones are nice. Just keep in mind, with some of them you'll need a lapping stone as well.

Sent via tapatalk

[Ben]

I ended up springing for the kit with 5 minutes to spare. :)

It comes with a lapping stone, so I'm set there. Though some of the reviews indicated their stones came not completely flat and they had to lap them before use, which was indicated as a 1-2 hour job(!) so I'll be checking them for flatness as soon as they arrive.

[vaskidmark]

I ended up springing for the kit with 5 minutes to spare. :)

It comes with a lapping stone, so I'm set there. Though some of the reviews indicated their stones came not completely flat and they had to lap them before use, which was indicated as a 1-2 hour job(!) so I'll be checking them for flatness as soon as they arrive.

The purchase of a sheet of float glass (single window pane if they still make them, thicker if you can find one) will go a long way towards getting and keeping your stones flat.  As will using the entire length (run off the edge, reverse the stone and do it on the other end).

stay safe.

[Bob F.]

C&S Dad: Is that $115 one the one you prefer? Been looking as a gift; use a steel on my good chef's knife & various sharpeners on others.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

C&S Dad: Is that $115 one the one you prefer? Been looking as a gift; use a steel on my good chef's knife & various sharpeners on others.

i bought that one 20.years ago. there is a learning curve. you need not to force machine go gentle or you will burn out motor. its greatist benifitvis magnetic guides that let you get consistent angle to strokes. the commercial model is great just to much money

[tokugawa]

if those stones are like the Japanese waterstones, a sheet of 60 grit silicone carbide sandpaper and a flat surface to lay it on will flatten them quick. Just use a lot of water to flood off the slurry.

[Perd Hapley]

you need not to force machine go gentle or you will burn out motor. its greatist benifitvis magnetic guides that let you get consistent angle to strokes.

Are those the Engrish instructions that came with the unit?