So while I have a variety of stuff (still fairly new to water stones so mostly oil and Arkansas stones), I've consolidated my most used stuff into a bin that serves as both storage and sharpening support. Might also be a decent example of not having to spend a ton to get a good setup.
This is more or less the kit:
There's a mix of oil stones, diamond, Arkansas and water stones. There's rags and a couple strops that go in there as well. It's just a plastic bin that we already had. It has a lid that can be secured onto it if I wanted to take it somewhere but I have a different, smaller kit for that.
The setup starts with this silicone pad I got out of a big bin at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Maybe for hot stuff??? I just grabbed it to be an anti-skid mat. That goes on top of my cutting board:
Pull what you need out of the bin and set it on the pad (towel would work too):
The bin gets covered in a towel to prevent sliding of the next piece which is a 17"x14" flat baking sheet that again, we already had:
Since I already them, and since they work very well, my oil stones still do the bulk of my coarse work. I do need a coarser water stone for thinning but that will come in time. I use the paper towel in the universal stone holder to prevent any drips onto pan. You don't need much oil! When done properly, I find oil stones actually less messy than water stones. But you do want to be mindful of never getting oil onto your water stones. I even use separate rags and keep them in bags. Anyway, Norton India Fine had this new F. Dick in shape in no time:
And yes, I have used the oil stones on some of my Japanese knives. They work just fine. I don't really care for them for thinning though as the oil is just too thick and "sticky". Sandpaper is a better substitute for that work. But they will grind in an edge just fine.
And then for water stones (Shapton Glass 2000):
And save them napkins from takeout/delivery:
This setup puts the stone about 11" above the counter and is very comfortable. No neck pain and very natural arm movement.
This is more or less the kit:
There's a mix of oil stones, diamond, Arkansas and water stones. There's rags and a couple strops that go in there as well. It's just a plastic bin that we already had. It has a lid that can be secured onto it if I wanted to take it somewhere but I have a different, smaller kit for that.
The setup starts with this silicone pad I got out of a big bin at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Maybe for hot stuff??? I just grabbed it to be an anti-skid mat. That goes on top of my cutting board:
Pull what you need out of the bin and set it on the pad (towel would work too):
The bin gets covered in a towel to prevent sliding of the next piece which is a 17"x14" flat baking sheet that again, we already had:
Since I already them, and since they work very well, my oil stones still do the bulk of my coarse work. I do need a coarser water stone for thinning but that will come in time. I use the paper towel in the universal stone holder to prevent any drips onto pan. You don't need much oil! When done properly, I find oil stones actually less messy than water stones. But you do want to be mindful of never getting oil onto your water stones. I even use separate rags and keep them in bags. Anyway, Norton India Fine had this new F. Dick in shape in no time:
And yes, I have used the oil stones on some of my Japanese knives. They work just fine. I don't really care for them for thinning though as the oil is just too thick and "sticky". Sandpaper is a better substitute for that work. But they will grind in an edge just fine.
And then for water stones (Shapton Glass 2000):
And save them napkins from takeout/delivery:
This setup puts the stone about 11" above the counter and is very comfortable. No neck pain and very natural arm movement.
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