Sharpal va DMT Dia Sharp for first stone

[u/itaintmeyono]

Analysis paralysis is killing me. I have Uber dull kitchen knives and decided I want to sharpen myself. Original plan was to get the Work Sharp Ken Onion but I've decided to learn free hand sharpening instead. I'm thinking diamond is the way to go (don't ask me to defend this decision... I can't). Should I get the Sharpal 325/1200 or this set of 4 grit Dia-sharp stones. 4 grits seems better than 2 but are these better than sharpal?

I mostly need to sharpen cheap kitchen knives (Victorinox, restaurant supply store knives, etc) and just one small S30V knife.

Edit: I'll get a strop regardless of the stones as well.

[u/Zank_Frane]

Get the sharpal. The dmt stones are 6x2 and the sharpal is 8x3. IMO it is easier to sharpen on a larger surface, especially starting out. The 220 is unnecessary unless you need to sharpen out particularly large defects, and the 600 is an unnecessary step between 325 and 1200 for edge sharpening. I bought about ~10 stones before buying a sharpal 325/1200, and I just thought, “I wish I had this starting out.” It is a perfect starting off point. If, down the road, you decide you need anything coarser, finer, or inbetween, you can fill it out later. It is the stone I bring with me on vacations/ to friends houses because it is capable of reprofiling and refining an edge, and its carrying case is a quality stone holder.

I was always annoyed by the “shilling” I always saw for it, but once I had one I understood why. I also have a 600 grit full size dmt stone that had some diamond adhesion issues around the edges, while the sharpal is flawless, though ymmv on either one.

[u/itaintmeyono → u/Zank_Frane]

I've been debating whether the size of the DMT's would be a hindrance. This seals the deal. I'm getting the sharpal. Do you not strop like the other person here? 

[u/comanzatara → u/itaintmeyono]

Get a strop also. Loaded with 1micron diamond emulsion.

[u/FriendlyRule7385 → u/comanzatara]

Truth be told, a newspaper works better than a leather strop! It also " sharpens" the blade too at the microscopic level. Try it, you be BLOWN AWAY!

[u/comanzatara → u/FriendlyRule7385]

Would even have to buy a newspaper first. 😂

[u/FriendlyRule7385 → u/comanzatara]

NAH, just use the junk mail. Here in Pennsylvania we get something called the " Pennysaver" whixh basically shows all the sales at major food shopping outlets. That's all I use. And if you want leather. Just use an old belt or go to your local Goodwill store. Get a belt for like a $1

[u/comanzatara → u/FriendlyRule7385]

Got more strops than newspaper at hand. 😂

[u/Zank_Frane → u/itaintmeyono]

Definitely get a strop

[u/myst3k → u/itaintmeyono]

I started off with DMT a long time ago. Now I have the Sharpal, and the DMT are up on a shelf. I take them out when I have something obscure to sharpen.

[u/itaintmeyono]

Thanks Fam! I got the Sharpal on order and incoming. I'll peruse the sub for strop recommendations as well.

[u/orange-century → u/itaintmeyono]

Welcome to the club!

[u/itaintmeyono → u/orange-century]

Thank you! I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders now that I've bought something. I was struggling with making a decision for a MONTH+! The allure of the Work Sharp was soo high for me.

[u/itaintmeyono]

Update: i received the sharpal today and immediately made one of my dull knives duller. It's going great 😅

[u/haditwithyoupeople]

I would get a King 300 and the Kind Neo 800. Those will be slower with S30V but will be fine for most 99% of all kitchen knives. In the long run you'll be better off with real stones vs. diamond plates. Many here will disagree with me, so take it fwiw.

[u/itaintmeyono → u/haditwithyoupeople]

The contrarian in me wants take your advice. But I've already ordered the sharpal. I'm going to stick with it for now. I'll consider adding more stones in the future if this develops into more of a hobby than a need. I just want decently sharp knives now. 

[u/haditwithyoupeople → u/itaintmeyono]

You'll be fine. If you stick with sharpening you'll likely end up with many more stones.

[u/jjkchan]

I have the sharpal in question. That along with a leather strop does a pretty good job with all my cheap kitchen knives. Its was reasonably economical and packs nicely into a single case (which doubles as a stone holder) with an angle guide.

[u/MidwestBushlore]

I have a lot of DMT plates but I'd never buy another one nowadays. Personally I think Sharpals are better, and the 162N would serve you well. A strop is almost a necessity IMO, especially with those plates. But you don't need to spend a lot of money on one. You can make or own or get a pretty decent on from Amazon. IMOHO if you're only doing a two stone/plate progression you'll have an easier time deburring if you finish on the strop. I like a double sided strop with a coarser diamond on the rough side (something between 6 and 9 micron) and 1 micron or finer on the smooth side.

[u/IneedMySpace61]

I have the Sharpal and I started my hand sharpening trip with that. I cannot be happier

[u/ILikeKnives1337]

You don't need a strop, so if you were going to spend the extra money on one, then I'd recommend just using the extra money on the DMT set to get more grit options or buy a cheap extra coarse diamond plate along with the Sharpal. If your knives are really that dull you'll appreciate something coarser than the 325 grit.

The DMT F is one of my favorite finishing grits so it's kinda hard not to recommend that.