A sharpening stone is a tool that has been used in the world in order to sharpen knives or other objects used for cutting and this tool has been in existence for many years. The material has a relatively flat surface, and its roughness helps to renew the sharpness of the steel blade. The main advantage is that honing stones can be used both by professionals and at home.
This tool is necessary to keep knives in perfect condition. Why is this important, you may ask? First of all, a sharp knife works more efficiently, safely, and makes cuts more precise. Second, dull knives can slip, increasing the risk of injury.
Sharpening stones come in different grit sizes. Coarse grains are used for initial sharpening when the blade is very dull. On the other hand, fine grains are used for finishing polishing to make the blade as sharp as possible.
Main Types of Sharpening Stones
USA-Market offers two types of grinding stones: diamond and CBN. These stones are known for their efficiency and durability. Diamond sharpening stones quickly and accurately sharpen blades of any hardness. And CBN stones are ideal for knives made of high-carbon steel. We offer these types because they provide excellent results and have a long service life.
CBN Stones
These sharpening stones are made of cubic boron nitride. Imagine, this is one of the strongest materials after diamond. That is why CBN stones are suitable for sharpening knives made of high-carbon steel and other hard materials. They are accurate and fast when it comes to sharpening and also have long durability in terms of shape and characteristics.
CBN stones have the characteristic of high thermal conductivity; thus, there is minimal heat generated on the blade when sharpening. They also have a uniform grit, which increases the reliability of sharpening because the sharpening edges are well polished and aligned. In addition, CBN stones do not require frequent maintenance and are easy to clean.
Benefits of CBN Stones:
- High strength and durability.
- Suitable for hard steels.
- Reduce the risk of overheating of the blade.
- Uniform and precise sharpening.
- They are easy to clean and do not require frequent maintenance.
Diamond Stones
Diamond knife honing stones are made of extra-hard diamond particles attached to a metal or plastic backing. Why do you think they are so popular with USA-Market’s regular customers? Of course, because these stones are unique due to their exceptional hardness and wear resistance. They are suitable for sharpening knives of any hardness, including the hardest steels.
Diamond stones restore blade sharpness quickly and effectively. They offer an equal and consistent honing and cause little loss of metal from the knife. These stones also have a long service life and do not require frequent maintenance.
Benefits of Diamond Stones:
- Incredible wear resistance.
- Suitable for the hardest steels.
- Fast and efficient sharpening.
- Can be used with or without water.
- Long service life and easy maintenance.
How to Use a Whetstone for Knives?
You can learn more about the use, selection, and cleaning of grinding stones in our separate article. Now, here is a simple algorithm for sharpening knives with a sharpening stone. By following these steps gradually, you will be able to sharpen your knives easily and efficiently.
The algorithm for sharpening a knife with a sharpening block:
- Use a coarse grit for the initial sharpening.
- Prepare the honing stone: moisten it with water or special oil.
- Make sure that the block is lying on a flat, level surface.
- Place the knife with the blade facing away from you at an angle of 15-45 degrees to the stone.
- Slide the knife along the bar in a smooth, forward motion.
- Make sure that the angle of the knife remains constant.
- Repeat the sharpening process on the other side of the blade.
- Finish sharpening with a fine-grit stone for a final polish.
- After sharpening, clean the knife and the stone from metal and oil residue.
That’s all, we are sure that you will succeed, just follow this algorithm, or even better, read the full sharpening instructions!
Conclusion
So now you know why knife sharpeners are useful. In fact, this is a very useful tool, so you should be responsible when choosing and using a stone. Our CBN and diamond stones are manufactured by one of the best manufacturers around the world, namely Poltava Diamond Tools. In turn, we, USA-Market, are the official distributor. So if you are interested in high-quality knife-sharpening tools, check out our catalog!
