SG220 vs Nanohone DR 100 video

[Delat]

I’m a total noob at thinning and stones in general, but I needed to do some work on a new project knife and it seemed like the perfect setup for a A/B test. I used the Nanohone Diamond Resin 100 micron first on the right face for about 10 minutes total elapsed time, then the SG220 on the left face for another 10 mins. Figured I’d share the video since there’s been conversation around coarse stones.

They both worked well as you can see from the video, but for this particular knife the Nano removed more metal with much less strain on my arms and fingers. Of note is that I rinsed the SG220 twice and the Nano none, so that took a minute or two. Also had to take a few seconds here and there with the SG to shake out my arms, and several spritzes of water. So the Nano probably had a bit more actual time on the stone but 10 minutes is 10 minutes and it’s not Nanohone’s fault that the SG needs rinsing and water spritzes and more finger pressure.

Disappointingly neither stone got me all the way to the edge (no burr raised and my edge bevel still clearly visible) so quite a bit of work left to do. Oh, for rounding the spine the SG220 seemed to be much faster than the Nanohone. I speculate that’s because you can apply more pressure per square inch on the spine which helps the SG perform.

Had to use youtube since the video files were too big. If the embedded video quality is low, try watching on youtube. Knife is an iron clad white #2 from Hatsukokoro. Cost me around $50 and not sure it was worth even that much, but should be pretty sweet after a ton more thinning.

Here’s the Nanohone


And the SG220

 

[mengwong]

That’s valuable data, thank you! I will give my NH100DR another wibble. Might even A/B/C test with an 80 grit SiC grinder.

 

[rickbern]

Read the faq, this jumped out

Can this be used on any edge?

A. While it is a very fast sharpener, some edges are just not designed to be sharpened quickly. It works great for tools and other durable edges. However, very fine cutlery and straight razors would not be appropriate for this stone.

 

[Delat]

Read the faq, this jumped out

Can this be used on any edge?

A. While it is a very fast sharpener, some edges are just not designed to be sharpened quickly. It works great for tools and other durable edges. However, very fine cutlery and straight razors would not be appropriate for this stone.

I’d tend to agree. The resin is slightly resilient which might round the edge, and I’d also be concerned about cutting into the surface on edge-leading strokes. And the holes might catch a tip, which I think @mengwong has experienced.

 

[Neutri]

Oh, for rounding the spine the SG220 seemed to be much faster than the Nanohone. I speculate that’s because you can apply more pressure per square inch on the spine which helps the SG perform.

Thanks for the comparison! I'm just a bit curious about this part. I can guess how to do it, but just to make sure, how do you round a spine with a stone?

 

[Choppin]

nice. I like the SG220, used it on several knives for thinning / reprofiling / tip repairs. but the idea of something that requires less pressure, less constant flattening and makes less mess is appealing.

have you removed the Nano 100 scratches yet? aI find the SG500 effective in removing SG220 scratches and was wondering if you need to go coarser to follow up the Nano 100 (maybe some 300 grit stone)

 

[Delat]

Thanks for the comparison! I'm just a bit curious about this part. I can guess how to do it, but just to make sure, how do you round a spine with a stone?

If I had a clamp I'd probably use sandpaper and the shoeshine method (you could try using a phonebook/catalog to hold the knife instead), but I don't so I just use my stones for the hard part and maybe fine sandpaper for the final polish/buff.

I do it pretty much how you'd guess - spine edge down and rotate the knife against the stone while going back and forth - the degree of rotation depending on how aggressively you want the spine rounded. I like pretty aggressive rounding so I go quite low but if you go too low you run the risk of getting scratches on the upper part of the blade.

Found a video; this is just cutting the initial edge off, then I go more aggressive with the rocking both lower and higher as I progress. I normally run 220, 500, 1000. If I want more of a polish depending on the knife I might go 4k plus some micro mesh.

Here's the result. This knife was a mono which is a PITA so I got tired and didn't curve it much as I do with my clad knives. You can see the point about 2/3 up the spine where I didn't bother to ease/round.

 

[Neutri]

Thanks

 

[Delat]

nice. I like the SG220, used it on several knives for thinning / reprofiling / tip repairs. but the idea of something that requires less pressure, less constant flattening and makes less mess is appealing.

have you removed the Nano 100 scratches yet? aI find the SG500 effective in removing SG220 scratches and was wondering if you need to go coarser to follow up the Nano 100 (maybe some 300 grit stone)

I feel like I should add a disclaimer: There's a thread where Milan chimed in that he finds the Nanohone DR stones to be too slow and more akin to an 800 grit stone - I think he likes vitrified diamonds for speed. I don't doubt him at all since that's what he does for a living.

So for my occaisional and not very demanding thinning projects it's perfectly acceptable and the price was right. If you need more of a metal hog then there's definitely better options out there. Also I think I've also seen comments that the SG220 works better on stainless cladding, so the results of my A/B test might have been different with a different knife.

I did play around a little bit with removing scratches on another knife but I totally forget what progression I used and it wasn't a serious attempt anyway. I'll pay more attention and post a followup when I get around to cleaning up this project knife as I'll probably be gifting it to someone.

 

[Choppin]

I feel like I should add a disclaimer: There's a thread where Milan chimed in that he finds the Nanohone DR stones to be too slow and more akin to an 800 grit stone - I think he likes vitrified diamonds for speed. I don't doubt him at all since that's what he does for a living.

So for my occaisional and not very demanding thinning projects it's perfectly acceptable and the price was right. If you need more of a metal hog then there's definitely better options out there. Also I think I've also seen comments that the SG220 works better on stainless cladding, so the results of my A/B test might have been different with a different knife.

I did play around a little bit with removing scratches on another knife but I totally forget what progression I used and it wasn't a serious attempt anyway. I'll pay more attention and post a followup when I get around to cleaning up this project knife as I'll probably be gifting it to someone.

the SG220 works well indeed on stainless cladding. cuts well and doesn't feel grabby