Sharp Hunting Knives - Understanding the Differences in Sharpening Stones by Larry Catoe |
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Written by WompasCat
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 00:21 |
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Sharpening stones are an absolute must if you plan to sharpen your Hunting knives yourself. They come in many different styles and grits which can make choosing the best one for your sharpening needs a bit confusing. Here are the most common types of sharpening stones in use today:
Diamond Stones
Diamond stones have small industrial diamonds attached to a metal plate that's available in various sizes, ranging from credit card to bench plate size. They are harder than any of the other sharpening stones, are very fast cutting and the most expensive. There are two types of diamond stones to choose from. The first type has surface holes to capture the swarf (metal shavings). The second type is a continuous diamond surface that is preferred when you are sharpening tools with points or edges that could get caught in the holes.
Oil Stones
Oil stones are natural stones quarried from the earth or synthetic stones that are cut and shaped as whetstones. The most well known natural oil stone is the Arkansas Stone which is made from Novaculite. The Washita and Ouachita stones are made from the same material and are from the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. These stones tend to cut more slowly compared to the synthetic India Stone that is made of Aluminum Oxide. Oil stones made of Silicon Carbide are the fastest cutting stones which make them ideal for initial course sharpening.
Water Stones
Water stones, just like the oil stones, are available in both natural and synthetic materials. The main advantage of the water stone is that it is fast cutting. Another advantage is the use of water instead of oil which is less messy and easier to clean up. Synthetic water stones are made of Aluminum Oxide but are softer than India Stones which are made from the same material. The Japanese water stone consists of fine silicate particles in a clay matrix, making it a soft stone. The worn material from your Hunting knife and the water form a slurry which in conjunction with the stone, sharpens and polishes your blade.
If your Hunting knives are cleaned on a regular basis, they will provide years of reliable service. Also, if you have sharp Hunting knives, they will perform to their full potential.
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