[chipper67]

Hello,

Since I started carving about 2 1/2 years ago I have just been stropping my knives and gouges. It's worked ok, I guess, but I think I'm at the point where I may need to actually hone some of them before the strop for the final polish. I don't think any of my carving tools have any major knicks that actually require a regrind or sharpening. I am just wondering what some opinions are regarding a good honing stone to buy, what size and also what grit. I'm looking for something that is quality that will last a very long time. I know (hope) this question will get a lot of different opinions and that's what I'm looking for. I'm getting to the point where I'm really having a hard time keeping them sharp-sharp. And also, maybe I haven't been stropping them correctly too. Any suggestions?

John

[squbrigg]

You will get all kinds of suggestions, based on personal success and experiences. I've tried most and have settled with Japanese water stones, 1000/4000/8000 grit. Tried Arkansas stones and didn't have any success, nor with various emery cloths on glass either. So I'll stick with good quality water stones. They work for me. Slip stone sets (3) are good place to start. Full size stones are better for full sized gouges. Power ..... too easy for me to make mistakes.

Bob

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Japanese water stones are a good choice as are arkansas stones. Personally I use two arkansas stones a medium or soft and an extra fine or hard. Water stones will do the job faster, but also wear out faster. The wear is what makes them work. It exposes new particles with their sharp edges, thus faster cutting. Arkansas stones wear much slower, but cut slower also. I bought two sets of water stones in Japan and have worn them out over the years (like 40), whereas the old arkansas stones are still ticking. One more thing, if you opt for Arkansas stones watch the quality, I've seen some bad ones in local stores. Plan on spending about $20 apiece for good ones. Have no idea what water stones are going for. I got mine for 500 yen each at 360 yen to the dollar 40 years ago. Don't think you'll find that kind of deal today.

[Clifford_Parker]

I had good luck with the "Scary Sharp" method using 3M adhesive backed sandpapers and a sheet of plexiglass but soon went back to my Hard Arkansas stone for honing. I use mine dry and, as Plain_Ol_Ed said, they are slower but IMO do a GREAT job.

[Kenny_S]

One more opinion. I have used diamond stones for years and haven't had any problems. But then, I guess they aren't really stones, are they. Mine are glued on to the back of my strop boards and I just purchased a wider flat one at the Case outlet store in Lebanon Mo.

[Butch_Speer]

I keep a piece of 800 grit wet or dry paper attached to the underside of my strop (use double face tape, glue makes it lumpy & hard to remove).

If a tool needs just a little more touching up than the strop will do, I use the paper to touch it up. Works really good like this. It's conveneint so you're more likely to use it. The only time I need to use a stone on my tools, is when I have a serious nick or need to re-shape a tool.

[Texas_Jim]

You asked for suggestions about stropping.

It is important to match the bevel angle during the stropping process that you made during the honing/sharpening process. If you don't strop at the same angle then you will round over the edge and actually make the edge duller.

Try coloring the bevel with a black permanent marker prior to stopping. As you strop, the black color should be removed uniformily on the bevel. That indicates that you are stropping at the same angle as the bevel and you are not going to round over the edge during the stropping process.

You can also use the coloring method prior to honing if your ntent is to match the existing bevel angle.

This trick has helped me a lot.

[Bandaid]

That's a great tip Jim...Thanks.

[Texas_Jim]

The tip on coloring the bevel came with a sharpening machine that I bought.

Although I can't take credit,
my stropping is no longer a debit. (ha, ha)

[UNCLE_RICK]

Originally Posted by Texas_Jim

Although I can't take credit,
my stropping is no longer a debit. (ha, ha)

Please, no accounting humor.
I'll laugh too hard and fall off my ledger

Rick