2024 Sharpening Gear Guide Poster - v0.3.1

[mengwong]

Please scroll to lower in the thread for the latest version.

The attached image is from the original post, v0.2.1, archival interest only.

Thanks everyone who gave feedback on v0.1.0 on the other thread.

Editable link: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1mOGN8LQtoWa3Ngj6U25ka-yclpPuCsbb2iBCMBUP3RE/edit?usp=sharing I expect there will be vandalism so I reserve the right to revert as I see fit

If you want an up-to-date high-resolution image you can download a PDF off the above URL.

 

[stringer]

Great job Meng!
Now you gotta do one for "my first belt sander."

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

@mengwong do you want the other thread locked with a link posted to this one to keep potential confusion down?

 

[Just a DK]

Also.. this has dangerously piqued my interest in Belgian Blues, Coti's and Ark stones... Went down the diamond route, but dang keep hearing about how good these are...

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Also.. this has dangerously piqued my interest in Belgian Blues, Coti's and Ark stones... Went down the diamond route, but dang keep hearing about how good these are...

As a BBW and Ark fan, I encourage you to explore your curiosity.

 

[rickbern]

Bravo!

Post of the year!

 

[daveb]

I like it! (But where are the Gesshin soakers?)

 

[rickbern]

Since it is a 0.2.1 release…

Maybe propose a Japanese synthetic soaker vs splash n go full progression. Like a 220/500/2000/6000 shapton rockstar vs a 400/2000/6000 gesshin (or whatever strikes your fancy) solution for the newly serious hobbyist or pro chef

 

[mengwong]

@mengwong do you want the other thread locked with a link posted to this one to keep potential confusion down?

Yes please

Versioning is the bane of all IT projects

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Yes please

Versioning is the bane of all IT projects

Done.

 

[VincenteFox]

Yes please

Versioning is the bane of all IT projects

i demand a rollback

 

[Rangen]

Really nicely done.

"Ideally your own?"

 

[aporigine]

I want one of those alumina Arkansas stones!

 

[mengwong]

Si, si, I will fix it

 

[daveb]

Versioning is the bane of all IT projects

Does this mean I have to change my password?

 

[stringer]

Hey @mengwong ,

I would recommend a switcheroo for where you have placed "hard Arkansas / washita" and "soft Arkansas". Soft Arkansas is more beginner friendly in terms of technique and availability/cost.

 

[mengwong]

Gotcha, thank you, I’m not familiar with the Arks. So the first (section 1) should be soft ark, then next stone (section 2) hard, and finer (5) = translucent or black?

I will add soakers at the bottom of the page

And I will mention the Kasfly sandpaper holder

 

[Rangen]

Feedback:

Is the NSK Oboro really vitrified? I thought it was just a really hard resin bond.

It's not essential, but in your position I would find it hard to resist taking a shot at pull-through sharpeners, meaning not the powered kitchen appliance, but the manual ones that mangle your knife.

 

[mengwong]

You’re right. I don’t know how I got that wrong. I’ll add these guys too

https://miuraknives.com/content/67-fsk-diamond-sharpening-whetstones

 

[aporigine]

Really nicely done.

"Ideally your own?"

Double-ideally the suede-tanned inner surface!

 

[Rangen]

More feedback:

As someone who tried (once only!) to sharpen with an uchigumori, I don't consider it sharpening gear. How about a nice aizu instead?

Props for your use of semantic versioning

 

[mengwong]

I think the snark about pull-throughs does deserve a place, but the proper place might be in a separate, future poster… I can imagine a few more in this series

• Guide to Guided Systems
• Guide to Power Tools and Knifemaking Gear
• Guide to Polishing Gear
• Guide to Makers In Japan
• Guide to Makers Outside Japan
• Guide to Vendors Online and Offline
• Guide to Knife Shapes, Sizes, Steels, and Standard Slices
• Guide to Grits … no, @Mr.Wizard has had that well covered for years

I hesitate to suggest a Guide to International Natural Stones… there are just so

many naturals

 

[stringer]

Here's the big daddy for crystolon/India. The IM313. 11 3/4 inches of sharpening length

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Gotcha, thank you, I’m not familiar with the Arks. So the first (section 1) should be soft ark, then next stone (section 2) hard, and finer (5) = translucent or black?

...

I agree with @stringer and also what you listed above.

 

[Legion74]

You could add the "Old school (very old) trifecta." Washita, Turkey stone, Coticule. Though I suppose a Washita is new world, so the whippersnapper of the group. Maybe substitute Welsh slate.

 

[mengwong]

Mmm, it's tempting to add a track for soakers only, and a track for old-school only. It's a trade-off. I'm trying to keep this beginner-friendly, in the sense that items should be easily found online. Buying through eBay is its own art form … perhaps I can leave the Turkish oilstone to a future guide to more advanced stones?

v0.3.1 attached.

 

[stringer]

Mmm, it's tempting to add a track for soakers only, and a track for old-school only. It's a trade-off. I'm trying to keep this beginner-friendly, in the sense that items should be easily found online. Buying through eBay is its own art form … perhaps I can leave the Turkish oilstone to a future guide to more advanced stones?

v0.3.1 attached.

One for just naturals? Turks are really hard to find in the US at least. You can buy those new Crete ones but antique/vintage ones are nearly impossible to come by.

 

[mengwong]

Mmm. Other release notes in v0.3.1:

I switched the “paper towel test” to this

But I was highly tempted to use this

Which would people prefer?

Let the votes be counted

 

[aporigine]

Mmm. Other release notes in v0.3.1:

I switched the “paper towel test” to this
View attachment 337986

But I was highly tempted to use this
View attachment 337988

Which would people prefer?

Let the votes be counted

Definitely the second.
It humanizes sharpening and sharpness testing. That should draw more of the new and curious.

 

[Legion74]

One for just naturals? Turks are really hard to find in the US at least. You can buy those new Crete ones but antique/vintage ones are nearly impossible to come by.

They are around in Australia if you know what to look for under 100+ years of old oil and gunk. I've been lucky enough to stumble over a few. Identified examples are still expensive, though.

Yellow/green Thuringians are what I find are unobtanium here. I don't think they were imported much at all, and we got our slates from the UK.