I prefer sharpening stones

[Buddy Thomason]

I tried just about every tool and method. In the end, after Tai Goo taught me hands on how to do it right, I found that I like the sort of old school approach. Here's what I use:



I use either honing oil or WD40 equivalent on the stones. I mainly use Arkansas soft and hard. I've got an Arkansas black stone for a super fine edge but rarely need it.

That little strip of plywood has a layer of cork under a piece of slightly thick and textured watercolor paper upon which I apply stropping paste or powder of a couple of different grades in different places. It's a great DIY honing device.

I have no problem controlling the angles free hand, but it takes great patience to gently and slowly raise the burr on one side all the way from tip to guard, then again on the other side etc. There are no short cuts with this method.

Tai takes it a step further with his assortment of special stones from which he chooses depending on the type of edge needed:





Here's Tai's honing stick in action:



Tai was demonstrating with a small kitchen slicer and tested the edge against a hair by applying slight pressure only - no 'sawing' or drawing the edge across the hair as that would be cheating.



Yessssss!



Naturally I have some diamond sharpeners for harder steels and heavier work.

And I use a sharpening steel occasionally, though they cut aggressively and require care in use. The sharpening steel works quickly in the kitchen to touch up an edge that is otherwise in good shape.

[Kevin Jones]

I like you Buddy prefer a good old fashion sharpening stone. Though I have been known to use a rod to sharpen a kitchen knife if in a hurry and caught dull in the middle of carving a turkey or ham.

Great post Buddy, Thanks.

[Marcel Dierijck]

I too use stones....waterstones to be exact. Although I only sharpen my Global kitchen knives (I don't hunt or use knives in any other fashion) I find it relaxing to go through the routine. I sharpen up to 4000 or 8000 grit.

Marcel

Spyderco's profile set and bench stones are what I'm into. I like ceramics, nice and clean easy to maintain. I have a superfine Spyderco bench stone that I hardly ever use. Just medium and fine grit and sharp enough to pop hairs is good enough for me.
I have diafolds too, which are good at getting things started.

Buddy,
Those are some great photos. I use nearly exactly the same setup as you. I sometimes start with a medium Norton india stone, then go to the medium/soft Arkansas stone. I have the white transluscent and the black surgical, but rarely use them. I like the agressive cut of the M/S Arkansas.
Good job with the photos. I'd like to spend some time in Tai's shop. Lin

Lin, I would love to see what comes from you, after a visit to Mr. Goo.