Variety of Sharpening Stones Available

Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Tool Sharpening and other Wood Working topics.

Which sharpening stone is best?

Variety of Sharpening Stones Available

Before we can set out to sharpen anything, we need something to sharpen tools on. That's where the stones come in. Here is a quick list of the different types of stones available:

  • The India Stone is less expensive than most of the others and works just as well. Interestingly enough, the India stone is synthetic.
  • The Arkansas Stones come in different qualities and coarses. These sharpening stones feel like glass when you touch them, and when oil is added to them they look translucent. But one thing to know is that they are fragile, so keeping them in a safe place when not in use is a good idea.
  • The untreated leather strap is always a good option, even if you're not a cowboy. Using an untreated leather strap about three inches wide and fourteen inches long works well for draw sharpening of blades of different kinds.
  • Sand paper is produced in varying degrees of coarse and fine paper. If you glue the paper to a flat surface, you can sharper your tools on it until it wears out.
  • Ceramic stones wear well and can be used with either water or oil , which cuts down on the friction between the tool and the surface when sharpening tools.

   

Comments

Nobody has commented on this tip yet. Be the first.



Name:


URL: (optional)


Comment:


Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Wood Working Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Carma Spence-Pothitt