Hey everyone! I just got my first ever plane, a Veritas block plane made of PM-V11 steel, and bought their MkII sharpening guide to go along with it. Now I'm trying to figure out the sharpening system but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I was thinking about going with their 600/1200 grit diamond stone paired with a leather strop and honing compound. Is this enough gear to sharpen my plane effectively for general use? If not, can anyone suggest a solid yet affordable setup? Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
I've tried a lot of different sharpening systems, but seriously, do yourself a favor and check out Paul Sellers on YouTube. He's got some great tips! I’m really satisfied with just three diamond plates and a strop; it works wonders!
From what I've seen, a lot of my friends prefer ceramic stones over diamond when it comes to sharpening. If you're willing to spend a bit more, I’d recommend checking out the Shapton ceramic stones, either the glass or the Japanese type. I personally use the 1k, 5k, and 8k Shapton ceramics and they’ve helped me achieve a super sharp edge, even down to a hanging-hair sharpness on my chisel for end grain. Definitely worth it!
I’ve got a DMT diamond plate with 320 on one side and 1200 on the other, which I use first. After that, I transition to some Shapton glass stones for finishing, specifically a 4000 and an 8000 grit. They work great for me! If you're interested, check out Rob Cosman's YouTube videos on hand sharpening. He uses a 16,000 grit stone for a mirror finish! Most of us don't need that level, but it's impressive to see what's possible. Just remember, you'll need something to flatten your stones over time, like an Atoma 140 diamond plate; it does the job excellently and is perfect for removing a lot of steel if needed.
Do you think finishing on the 8k stone is sufficient, or do you still need to strop afterwards? Also, how's the edge after just the 1200 grit?