Stop Sharpening with Sandpaper!

You can ditch the sandpaper and get sharp with affordable diamond stones.

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Products from this video (affiliate):

(I didn't mention this one in the video, but I've had it for years and it offers excellent value.)

(The 4 stone set might be out of stock, but this 3 stone set is even cheaper and should get the job done.)

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More videos on sharpening:

Fast freehand sharpening: no jigs, no guides, no sandpaper.

True Beginner: Basic Sandpaper Sharpening

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Become a member of this channel!

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Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):
*Cutting*
(Winner of the affordable dovetail-saw shootout.)
(Needs tune-up to work well.)
(Works out of the box)
(My favorite affordable new chisels.)
(I use these to make the DIY specialty planes, but I also like them for general work.)

*Sharpening*

*Marking and Measuring*
(For marking and the built-in awl).
(Excellent, inexpensive marking knife.)

*Drilling*

*Work-Holding*

Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

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0:00 Intro

[RexKrueger]

The four-stone set might be out of stock, but I've added links to a couple of 3-stone sets that cost even less. They're in the description.

[Ice_Berg]

I realize you probably prefer to keep videos positive, but I think a video doing a round-up of the cheap tools you've tried out that turned out to be bad could be really interesting. It could be helpful to know what to avoid, or how to look for red flags when buying new tools.

[MrChickadee]

Ive found no better, simpler or cheaper method than the traditional technique of simply chasing the burr on a medium grit oil stone and finish with a strop. A norton medium india or a soft arkansas can be had for 16 bucks or less and will outlast most men.

[chopsddy]

These particular plates came to my attention last September. I’ve been using them regularly since and they might be the best diamond abrasives I’ve ever used regardless of the price. They are not showing any signs of bare spots after a lot of use on edged tools, most of which have a Rockwell hardness of 60 or above. Price doesn’t necessarily indicate quality. These plates are working better than others I own that cost five times as much! Definitely a best buy.

[Jjsamool]

I’m glad to get early access as a Patron!! I ordered these when this video hit my email a few days ago, they’ve now sold out on Amazon and are ranked #1 in sharpening.

[Chatsuo]

It's worth saying that the surface of the melamine may be waterproof, but the edges ARE NOT and the board will gradually self-destruct if water goes over the edge. May wanna seal it up somehow.

[LaughingMan]

Hey Rex, long time viewer here:

Great video, but I've got two important nitpicks:
1. There are two different types of diamond stones, polycrystalline and monocrystalline. The latter costs more, (though still way less than it used to) but you get much more consistent results because in the former the diamonds break down over time.
2. You should wipe down whatever you're sharpening before taking it to the strop, otherwise you're going to transfer those tiny broken off diamonds onto your strop and it'll scratch the edge you're trying to polish.

[jbblackley]

I have a few sets of these simple, cheap diamond plates and they're great. My family is spread out a bit, and I have started taking a set of these in a small, portable sharpening kit when I visit them, as they NEVER have sharp knives. I'll ask them what they want sharpened, spend an hour or so working on some knives, makes them happy, helps me when I have to cook in their kitchens and I enjoy the challenge of restoring knives to their former glory. Like you, I have a heavier, larger, "better" set, but these are great and they do last quite a long time. Mine are from two different "manufacturers" and I can't tell the difference. Great tip. Also, a reminder to all of you out there... when your knife steel no longer gets your blade sharp for every day use, sharpen your knife immediately. Doing so consistently, accurately and carefully (as well as immediately) will save your knives in the long run. Reprofiling a blade that's as dull as the back of a butter knife will require removal of a lot of material. Sharpening a slightly dull knife will remove very little and your experience with the knife will be better and your knife will likely last longer and perform better over its lifetime.

Great video, Rex.

[wellnessmantraa]

Good information. Am from India, hobby woodworker, here in the villages they ve a much cheaper method. They crush a white transparent stone (don't know what's the name of it, we find it when we dig the earth). They sprinkle that powder on a wooden flat surface. They they hold the chisel and move it to left and right. You won't get a flat beveled edge. It'll have a curvy profile. But it works. It's a old school method. Sparks come out when they do this. After the powder becomes fine and is consumed, they put some more fresh crushed powder

[FriedPi-mcyt]

Hey Rex, a good way to mount the plates on a piece of plywood is to use super glue and painters tape. Stick some wide painters tape down to the plywood the length and width of your plates. Cover the back of your plates with painters tape. Put super glue on the tape that’s on your plywood. Put your plate on the tape on the plywood so you’re gluing tape to tape. Doing this makes it easy to remove the plates to clean them or reposition them. It will work for the strop as well.

[DarrenMalin]

I have two of these cheap diamond 'stones' glues back to back in my backpack, they are you need to keep your bush-craft knifes and axe more than up to the job :)

[deanhazelwood]

Your ability to demonstrate and your communication style hooks me every time I watch. Thanks Rex. I am a rookie and your channel is a new one to me and an absolute favourite now. Thanks again.

[PatNetherlander]

Bought them directly. Nice tip Rex! Had to buy two different packs as the 4 and 5 packs were out of stock. Now got the 400 - 600 - 1000 and 1200 grit for just over $30. They work like a charm! Thnx a LOT!

[stompingpeak]

The sandpaper method is what you do when you need to put a new edge on a blade. It saves the life of your stones and will do a better job at removing more metal

[arthurbrands]

When the scary sharp system got popularized, I had to go to 2 hardware stores and 3 auto parts stores, plus a big box to get a slab of marble to get set up. Inexpensive diamond sharpening plates? Wow! guess what's currently unavailable? You're a trend setter, Rex!!

[alexsavastru]

Shipping the whole 4-piece set from whichever US warehouse they sit in to my city in Romania costs, in total, $40. 40 bucks for a set like this, that lasts for years upon years, is chump change. Will definitely look into placing an order soon. This set + a leather strop + green compound + a honing guide, all set up nicely within a piece of lumber, will 1000% provide me with the adequate setup for all of my sharpening needs.

Thanks, Rex!

[johncoops]

That Melamine board will last about a week before the water (or even humidity) swells all the edges. You need to edge band or seal those edges after construction. Or use moisture resistant coated MDF board from a bathroom cabinet or door.
I've been buying a larger completely flat diamond plate from Ebay, they cost under AU$7 delivered, so perhaps US$4.50 each. There is about 10 different grits between 60 and 3000, and the diamond is glued, not electroplated like the expensive stones. The plates are steel that rusts, so I will try this other style as a comparison.

[twcmaker]

Totally agree with this Rex. I have a student who does scary sharp. It does cost. I'm still not convinced that all on the same board is a good idea. Professional Woodworking for 40 years now. Btw I'm loving the latest theme of cheaper woodworking.

[waynekitt]

Rex, your influence is amazing!! By the time I viewed your video (just 23 hours after you posted), all stones in your suggested list were out of stock, except for the 2-sided unit. Nicely done! It will be interesting to see how soon they are re-supplied and at what price. Nice video. I've been following you for years (well, since 2020 at least. :=D ) You are the one responsible for beginning my woodworking journey. Without your down-to-earth basics approach to woodworking, I would never have begun. I've gone through all your sharpening videos with you, getting the same equipment and trying it out. Its been a learning experience, and from a retired teacher's perspective, that's a worthy accomplishment. Thank you.

[dangreenie]

Followed your technique, glued the plates as you did, and WOW .... after 12 chisels, I am a fan. Rejected sandpaper and very costly stones. Used the Veritas honing guide, sighted the angle instead of using the paper guide, then I patiently worked thru 12 chisels to a mirror finish. AWESOME. Thank you.