6-24-2018

Sharpening Knives - the Spyderco Goldenstone

You can sort of think of this as a portable Sharpmaker. This is a Spyderco "fine" grade, just like the white rods that come with the Sharpmaker. It is effectively a 3000 grit stone. There has been talk about a coarser CBN goldenstone like thing. Here is the marketing copy:
Spyderco's Golden Stone sharpening device is all curves and angles for sharpening any edge. U.S.A. Made, from Alumina Ceramic, it's created through a process combining a bonding agent with alumina particles, which are synthetic sapphires 15 to 25 microns in size). It is then kiln fired at temperatures exceeding 3000 degrees F (1649-C) where it reaches 9 (out of 10) on a Mohs hardness scale and is cooled in stages. Ceramic sharpeners are used dry without oil or water. The fine grit Golden Stone is closed-cell and won't wear with usage or time, excelling at polishing and professionally finishing any edge. Holding the stone vertically on a tabletop and tilting it from one side to the other creates a 20° angle (40° total angle) for sharpening knife blades. Both sides are elliptical for sharpening PlainEdges, and SpyderEdges (serrations). Positioned on its side horizontally creates a 12.5° angle for sharpening scissors. Suede leather carry case doubles as a non-skid counter top pad for tabletop sharpening.
Comparing the surface of the stone looks very much like the fine rods for the sharpmaker. These rods are also made from alumina particles of the same size, but given a surface treatment to make them act like 5-7 micron abrasive. The Goldenstone seems equivalent, but I have seen no official statement that this is so.
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Tom's Knife Info / tom@mmto.org