Stones and Cleavers

[CarsonReidDavis]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for a few years, made an account to ask some questions about stones and cleavers.

I've got a wall of decent knives, but 95% of what I use is my CCK 1302. I'm really interested in some advice on premium cleavers. My preference is probably for flat lasers, but if there is something amazing out there then I'd consider it.

I've also recently gotten a bit into sharpening and am hoping for advice on how I might expand my collection of high grit stones. I want to try new stuff and have more options. I'm not sure if I understand my own preferences well enough to take the jnat plunge yet, but I could be convinced. Right now my high grits are chosera 3k, rika 5k, morihei 4k, arashiyama 6k, kitayama 8k, naniwa 12k, and 1, .5, .25, and .1 micron gunny juice.

 

[daveb]

Welcome

 

[Jville]

Hey, welcome, get involved in the cleaver thread. You will find lots of Recs and talk. It’s Post Your Rectangles.

 

[stringer]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for a few years, made an account to ask some questions about stones and cleavers.

I've got a wall of decent knives, but 95% of what I use is my CCK 1302. I'm really interested in some advice on premium cleavers. My preference is probably for flat lasers, but if there is something amazing out there then I'd consider it.

I've also recently gotten a bit into sharpening and am hoping for advice on how I might expand my collection of high grit stones. I want to try new stuff and have more options. I'm not sure if I understand my own preferences well enough to take the jnat plunge yet, but I could be convinced. Right now my high grits are chosera 3k, rika 5k, morihei 4k, arashiyama 6k, kitayama 8k, naniwa 12k, and 1, .5, .25, and .1 micron gunny juice.


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Welcome aboard. I have most of the same stones you do because I had to buy and try them, but I rarely go above 2k on synthetics anymore. I think it looks like you got plenty there to last you awhile. Might be time to try some naturals.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Helluva intro!

 

[CarsonReidDavis]

Hey, welcome, get involved in the cleaver thread. You will find lots of Recs and talk. It’s Post Your Rectangles.

Oh thanks, I hadn't seen that thread. I've been reading through Been a while since we had a Cleaver chat. Does one of the threads get more readership?

 

[CarsonReidDavis]

Welcome aboard. I have most of the same stones you do because I had to buy and try them, but I rarely go above 2k on synthetics anymore. I think it looks like you got plenty there to last you awhile. Might be time to try some naturals.

Did you stop using high grits or transition over to naturals? What do you recommend?

 

[CarsonReidDavis]

Welcome

Helluva intro!

Thanks!

 

[Joshmonop]

Awesome collection!

 

[stringer]

Did you stop using high grits or transition over to naturals? What do you recommend?

I don't use the high grit synthetics for much anymore. Occasionally for straight razors. I don't like the way high grit synthetic edges feel on kitchen knives. I think I get better longer lasting edges with naturals and I have more fun collecting them.

There are tons of natural options that are great for knives. Some are still produced today, others are readily available in vintage format from the auction sites or on the BTS on the forum. I'm a big fan of the novaculite family: Washita, Soft/Hard Arkansas, Llyn Idwal, Charnley Forest, Turkey/Cretan, etc.

There is the garnet family of coticules and Belgian blues (bbw).

Japanese naturals are their own huge rabbit hole. My favorites are aizu and suita.

There's plenty of info to get you started on here on the forum. Ask questions and have fun.

 

[CarsonReidDavis]

Awesome collection!

Thanks! Is that a figured maple spatula in your profile? Looks awesome

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

For me, high grits are only good for polishing. For edges I rarely go above 2-4kish.

 

[Joshmonop]

Thanks! Is that a figured maple spatula in your profile? Looks awesome

It is a pretty sweet spatula! Made by Loon Knifeworks

 

[Pie]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for a few years, made an account to ask some questions about stones and cleavers.

I've got a wall of decent knives, but 95% of what I use is my CCK 1302. I'm really interested in some advice on premium cleavers. My preference is probably for flat lasers, but if there is something amazing out there then I'd consider it.

I've also recently gotten a bit into sharpening and am hoping for advice on how I might expand my collection of high grit stones. I want to try new stuff and have more options. I'm not sure if I understand my own preferences well enough to take the jnat plunge yet, but I could be convinced. Right now my high grits are chosera 3k, rika 5k, morihei 4k, arashiyama 6k, kitayama 8k, naniwa 12k, and 1, .5, .25, and .1 micron gunny juice.


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I uhh.. would say you’re pretty stocked to start out with.

I agree I never get very high over 1k on synthetic when preparing edges. I will put in a nudge for jnats. The more I use them for actual sharpening the more fun I have.

Welcome, and enjoy!

 

[tostadas]

Welcome fellow rectangle friend

 

[Jville]

Oh thanks, I hadn't seen that thread. I've been reading through Been a while since we had a Cleaver chat. Does one of the threads get more readership?

Both of them are good threads to follow