Rob Cosman Sharpening Kit - (BEST VALUE)

The Rob Cosman Sharpening Kit is a best value sharpening kit that will produce an AWESOME sharp edge on your woodworking cutting tools. Rob explains each of the components of his kit, what they do, and how they earned a position in his kit. Robs covers sharpening stones, diamond stones, lubricant, stone holders, and lots of other accessories.
00:00 Overview
01:36 Type of Sharpening Stones
06:56 Shapton Water Stones
10:00 Shapton Diamond Lapping Plate vs. Trend Diamond Stone
14:04 Shapton Heavy Holder and the Complete Kit
16:32 Lapping Fluid & Lubricant
17:52 Spritz Bottle
18:50 Sharpening Ruler
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* VIDEOS ROB MENTIONS ON THE VIDEO
- Sharpening Hand Plane Blades in 32 Seconds: • Sharpening A Plane Bla...
- Sharpening Chisels: • How To Sharpen Chisels...
* SEE ROBS SHARPENING KITS HERE:robcosman.com/pages/kits
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[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Learn how to get a razor sharpchisel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHqwqWh-jLF7mqs

[@patjackson1657]

I did my best to get the gear you recommend. The Trend 300/1000 I found locally, and the Shapton stones closest to the grits you advise are a 5000 and a 12000. These are replacing my water stones that after 30 years of use and abuse are finally done for. Since I don't have a grinder or a Tormek, I added a 140 diamond Atoma to bring my badly abused blades back to shape. Many hours later, I have 1 plane performing better than it ever did before. The other 2 are close behind. Thank you very much. At 71 years, I will never catch up to you KZbin heroes, but I will enjoy the chase!

[@pierreoffice3823]

so cute

[@petermclaughlin1553]

Thanks Rob. Excellent video, as are all of yours. I still have my VHS tape of your teaching hand cut dovetails. I see you've (learned) incorporated some new techniques in that area. That's what I love about your style. You seem to always be open to new products, new techniques, and new ways of thinking about our craft. Be well. Peter, Chicago

[@watermain48]

Great video Rob, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us and thanks again for all you do for my fellow veterans, it is much appreciated. Good on ya for the poppy too.

[@ravirawat4126]

Ro b , you are one of the BEST in your game . Thanks for teaching . Hope one day , can return your favor . Thanks again . Take care and be safe .

[@Book-Mark]

Great video thanks! Sharpening is a 'drag'! Shapton and Trend took my sharpening to the next level after struggling for months with other stones.

[@2bmade-projects594]

Thank you Rob. Appreciated more than you'll realize!

[@djecpamba]

With out a doubt “the” best video on sharpening stones I have seen. Well organized and thought out. I’ve experimented with ceramic, JNAT s, coticles, diamond and sandpaper and never been totally satisfied with the results. This has been most informative.

[@DaltonPhantom]

Thank you sharing your skills with us, Rob and team!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

our pleasure

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Rob, my first purchase from your shop was your sharpening system. Smartest tool purchase decision I ever made. Even with mediocre starter tools I was able to get the kind of results in my woodworking I had been hoping to get for years and years. As I’ve added better quality tools, I’ve been able to get maximum performance from them because I know how to sharpen them right and keep them sharp. Your sharpening system isn’t “original”, but it’s tried-and-true and a guy will save a lot of money and time if he just buys your system components right away. Thanks again.

[@emersonassis7154]

One more time an excelent video about sharpening skills and directions.A sharp edge makes all diference.Congratulations from Brazil and thanks for share.

[@chris-C8]

I really appreciate that you mention everyone who taught you in your videos. It shows the utmost respect you have for your mentors.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

On whose shoulders we stand.

[@antipodesman]

I saw your presentation in 2006 in Victoria BC. I was the guy who felt your maple sample that took my breath away. I still have my Norton stones but I wish I had the Shapton system.

[@DominicPannell]

Golly, so many positive references to the UK... makes me feel proud. In any case, this is such a useful channel, so thank you Rob. And total respect for wearing the poppy just now.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Just flattened my shapton 10k for FIRST time, ever, with my new trend diamond stone. WAY out of flat! Apparently used it more than I thought in just a year... lol tks for all Rob Cosman!

[@rcort4864]

Great video. For a diamond stone lubricant, I use Krud Kutter. Cheap, easy to find, works well as a lubricant, and never had a rust problem at all with it. Just wipe it off when done and put the stone away.

[@frankhill9527]

Another awesome video packed with great information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidcampbell2845]

Rock solid, outstanding teaching with demonstration yet again. Consistently high quality skill development tutorials.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Much appreciated! And thnaks for watching and commenting

[@mikaelfischer8429]

Good morning Rob, Thanks for all of your sharping videos and as of this morning I purchased my very first Shapton stones from you, I got the Sharpening - Apprentice Kit. Thanks once again, and you guys stay safe ad healthy.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You are going to love it

[@mikaelfischer8429]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thank you Sir, I am sure I will and thank you for all you do for the Vets and woodworkers my friend, You are a great man and have a great team. God Bless

[@peterbermingham3197]

This method of sharpening is the best, just followed all the steps granted i used king 1200 to 6000 even with these stones the difference is amazing have known about the rule trick for a good while. Just got my Lie-Nielsen no8 no5 and 102 and violin plane razor sharp cant wate until my shapton stones arrive between them and me T8 thats all i will ever need. Thanks Rob

[@smfvmd]

Good to see you wearing your poppy, Rob.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Of course

[@Artfulscience1]

So humbling to hear you having to find “a job” from purely being a craftsman. Similarly I do a lot of artistic and creative work, but made sure I got an engineering degree. I’ve had a tutoring business for many years now and it is doing better than ever. It’s amazing how teaching will never go out of business. Soon enough I’ll have enough money and space to Get a little shop going so I can finally make use of all The stuff Ive learned from you over the years. Can’t wait to take my first clean shaving from a wood river 👏🏻

[@wolf9174]

Wow , amazing and super good teacher...

[@marty3553]

Brill video thank you so much for taking the time to make this video ❤

[@TheFPSCENTRAL]

Rob! I just received my Trend diamond stone and angle trainer from you! Also, that maple butter is DELICIOUS.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Careful its addictive.....the butter

[@bobtaiy2910]

Thank you very much I learne. From you to much Nice to see you all time

[@bobsmith693]

Fantastic information

[@abdullahalbalushi9049]

Thank you Rob , I really enjoyed the videos you make. 🇴🇲

[@hughgilchrist5463]

Hi Rob great video and explained well the procedure to sharpen tools but you did miss out on the trend diamond plate trend supply non slip Matt and a cleaner which is a rubber.I’ve had my trend sharpening system for 20years best I’ve seen thank you

[@bigal6667]

Was thinking about you during Veterans Day and everything you do for the wounded warriors. As an active duty soldier I thank you for helping by fellow brothers in arms.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thank you for your service. You should watch our live event this Staurday (18:00 EST) we will be honoring another WWII Vet

[@WeedMIC]

i have found this video invaluable - ty ever sm

[@RC-bl2pm]

I started with king waterstones...they are good...got a norton for the coarsest and it cut like fast!..but it went out of flat quick..but it was cheap and it flattened quickly with a lapping stone...when i had to replace that coarse stone I went with a diamond plate...it works well but no data on durability yet because i've had it less than a year.

[@johncarpenter4621]

Just purchased a new blade for an old Bailey #4. I’m going to use your method, and I’ll let you know how I perform. Thanks

[@RGRGJKK]

pura vida Rob mi hermano en Cristo great review

[@felipehuibonhoa7338]

I was always frustrated with sharpening my blades until I follow rob channel. I now have his whole system from the ruler to the lapping and I know know how to sharpen in under a minute. Me! If I can do it using what he teaches, then I believe anyone else can. I love it! Thank very much Rob!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad you got your sharpening down. Once you can sharpen you are on your way to great woodworking

[@felipehuibonhoa7338]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking thank you. BTW, its only the spritz bottle that I don't have. I use those pressure bottles. Works great. Now I've got to get them dovetail sawing skills down.

[@kenstewart687]

I have always heard the word grit, I knew that the higher the number the finer the particles but I never knew what it was related to. Thank for the explanation and the video.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimsteere2108]

I woodwork as a hobby and am too much of a perfectionist for my own good but, your video's are wonderfully inspirational and instructive. I really like your presentations. Very professional and interesting. I'm also a vet (USN, not wounded "58-'62)

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thank-you Jim, we appreciate your service!

[@ThePhilGrimm]

Hi Rob, You forgot to mention that the Charlesworth ruler trick is only for usew on plane irons, not chisels!

[@ForestWoodworks]

Thanks Rob!

[@Finewoodworkingofsc]

I've used the Shapton system for years. Expensive, but great results.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I have the same experience

[@WCFAsyncQueryable]

They even have a 30K. I had this for finishing my sharpening. Love it.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

30K is price but oh man it leaves an awesome cutting edge

[@spagati]

I have it to and I love it also.

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Luther, you could win an Oscar for this video!!!! Great video!!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Dont pet a hound dog!

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Why???

[@leehaelters6182]

@@Ammed_KN6STX, he will become accustomed to the cosseting, and be less effective as a working dog.

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Rob

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

No...Thnak you for watching and commenting

[@ronin4711]

Rob I love your videos because they are all no nonsense and very useful information for the novice and for the profesional also. However, and I emphasize on however, your references are good but,very expensive! Starting with your dovetail saw, which is great but the most expensive ever. Also, sharpening stones: If you are a novice and you are not sure if you want to invest "big", unless you are rich and bored and looking for a hobby, there are a lot cheaper alternatives to look for. For the pro, I'll say, go for it because you already tried probably everything and it makes sense.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We have to disagree on something. Having been down the road of “buy cheap first” I now advocate to buy the best, cry once! If you are not sure you want to get into the craft then do some more investigating or find a friend that does it or a guild. Buying low cost/low quality will do more to discourage than promote. The used tool market is good so if you decide to hang it up, sell your good stuff for most of what you paid and move on. My advice for what it’s worth. Thanks for commenting.

[@ronin4711]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Rob. First, thanks for your quick response. I totally disagree! What if I’m not sure what I want to get into? I’ll cry forever for a bad investment! Have a little mercy on those poor people! You can still buy decent tools to start with and not being in “big” investment if you’re sorry. I made once a big mistake, I went to night school for HVAC and refrigeration, have nice Diploma but could never pursue the trade because as apprentice I couldn’t pay my mortgage for the home I just bought! I thank God that I didn’t invest in tools for that! And that’s a lot of money! I Imagine that I would have been still crying now 26 years latter. As I mentioned before, if you’re a pro, by all means, buy the best, cry once! I mentioned some time ago, that your videos are a bit too rich for some “mere mortals”... Good intentions but you sometimes miss the target. Continue with your work, it’s all in good intent, I’m sure...

[@christianestrada5362]

Thank you for sharing. That shapton system really looks nice! I'm thinking about getting the Trend since it's not as expensive but the honerite would eventually add up too. Not having to worry about rust is a really attractive feature on the Shapton.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

If you just keep your dimaond stones wiped down and dry after each use you will be OK. The Honrite is a safty feature in case you every foget to dry off your diamond stone. It lasts a long time

[@craiglomax9913]

The cost for the honerite is very low as it will make enough to last a hobby user more than a year

[@darrenwolfe1660]

I always struggled trying to get sharp tools and keep them that way until I bought the stones you use. Tried the methods you use and now I enjoy my tools and am no longer frustrated trying to keep the tools sharp. I would say you promote the best way to sharpen. Thankyou very much!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You are so welcome!

[@TSolderman]

Previously I used a King 6000 together with Trend 300/1000. I shifted to a Shapton Pro Stone 12000 and the difference is unbelievably. I use an old hacksaw blade with the teeth grinded away for the ruler trick and to keep my diamond stone from rust I dry it whit a compressed air.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Sounds great. Thats seems a hard way to go to avoid buying a cheap thin ruler?

[@hassanal-mosawi4235]

Thanks for sharing that

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You are welcome

[@jamartin1]

Thank you!💜

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You bet

[@dpeteual]

I use a guide to sharpen my plane irons. I know you do it free hand but I find that I don’t mind the extra time it takes to sharpen and I like the repeatability. I have a problem. I put on a secondary bevel with the Trend 1000 diamond plate and get a burr across the edge. I use the Trend 300 side to flatten the Shapton and it appears to be really flat. Without resetting the guide, when I try to polish the edge with the Shapton 16000, I get a polish only on the center of the edge. As I polish the edge, the black marks on the stone are only in the center of the edge. I even tried pressing only on the center on the 1000 for the burr and on the side for the 16000 but still the same problem. I know that this sounds impossible but no matter how much I flatten the Shapton with the Trend, I still have the problem.

[@dgt79]

Thanks for all the woodworking lessons Rob, I’ve learnt a lot from you. I’ve seen other woodworkers prefer Shapton Pro stones and was wondering if you ever considered those stones. From what I’ve seen Pro stones have more thickness while Glass ones are slightly better for harder steel

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

They are good stones. Tried them but i prefer the glass stones. I think the binder is better and the abrasive cuts faster than the pro

[@CandidZulu]

I always said broom and dustpan are the two most important tools in any shop. Personally I work a lot with small mechanical things, such as firearms. If I drop a part on the floor, it is more likely gone forever if the floor is untidy. And general neatness and organization are key to any good work. But after that I would say sharpness is very high on the list. To flatten an oil stone, take a concrete garden slab, as used for foot paths. Some are machine made and very flat. Pour some Silicone Carbide coarse grit on one side, and add some water or oil. Now rub the oil stone in this mess until flat.

[@Ham68229]

I have the Norton water stones but, picked up a set of DMT diamond stone plates. I also use windex as lube on my DMT's. Would love a set of Shapton's but, out of my price range at the moment, one day. Great information, cheers :)

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You can make do with that. When you are tired of flatting the Nortons I recommend a Shspton

[@james.tupper]

I use this same setup and can attest to the Trend being out of flat. Mine is cupped to the point where it's totally unusable for anything but narrow blades. I use a honing guide and the Trend is nearly useless with it because it grinds all of my blades with a negative camber / laps my stones with a reverse cup. The time I have to spend trying to correct its unevenness is just not worth it at all. If you are good a freehand sharpening, then you'll just have to remember to learn the shape of your Trend plate and compensate for it. I love this method of sharpening, but just don't rely on the Trend plate for it. Spend a little extra for an actually flat stone.

[@leadingedgeknifeandtoolsha4128]

i dont sharpen my chisels that often, but i sharpen chef knives almost daily, and i have something you might be interested in. it is called a sink bridge. they can be found on amazon for $30-$40, and they work amazing. you can uses them over a sink, as you can guess, or as i used them over a bucket of water. the sink bridge is the greatest sharpening tool i have ever found. it makes life so much easier. no more squirt bottles, just reach down and grab a little water with you hand, and clean up is just drain the water out of the bucket. no more weird clay stuff (swarf) on you counters or bench. i will say, i do prefer the ha no kuromaku shapton over the glass shapton but that is personal opinion. i like your videos, but that 3 1/2 minute dovetail video is your finest work. i have watched it about 10 times now, and every time it seems like magic, keep up the good work

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Tried it and I don’t like it in a woodworking shop. Wood and lots of water dont go together and you only need a little spritz bottle not a bucket full of water. Most woodworking shops dont have sinks and the first time you spill you bucket of water in your shop it is not fun. I prefer a little spritzer bottle. I just dont think that method translates well in a wood shop

[@leadingedgeknifeandtoolsha4128]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking lol good point, thanks for the reply

[@ziggen78]

Thank's Rob🔝🔝💪👏

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Your welcome

[@upstatebarnwoods9661]

Hey Rob, great info!! which sharpening kit would you recommend for a Narex Richter double beveled chisel set?? Thanks in advance!!

[@SarcastSempervirens]

That big steel ruler you showed in the end has the perfect hole on one end to drive a screw through the end part of the big rubber holder and simply attach one end of the ruler on the screw and hold it on the opposite end and it's not going anywhere. Cosmanise the holder! :D

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thats a good idea

[@sailrockpaperscissors8261]

great video, thx , you mention the 5% approx different with sharpening a chisel is it the same difference with a Plane ? , also what is the flatness of the Trend 300/1000 found the Shapton is +/- 4 microns, thx

[@paulkarch3318]

Generally what is the lifetime of the Shapton stone? I noticed that it needs to be flattened each time you use it. I know it depends on how heavily it's used but some idea would be useful.

[@davida369]

The spritz bottle, I use old supermarket cleaner spray bottles, I always remove the top and make sure the dip tube is in the front of the bottle when I reattach the top so when held forward the end of the tube is in the liquid.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

That works too. I always got frustrated when the liquid was running low and tilting the bottle the tube couldn’t suck up anymore water. Call me lazy but I hated filling up that bottle more often than I absolutely had to!!!!!

[@danthechippie4439]

Hi Rob. I noticed that shapton have much more aggressive grit stones in their hr glass waterstones line up. They go down as far as 120 grit but you need to purchase a different flattening lapping plate for those. Any thoughts on the lower grit stones?

[@MrAtfenn]

i recently picked up a few more shapton stones so i cycled back to this video. what is your opinion on window cleaner with a little dish soap rather than water? i havent sprung for the shapton flattening plate yet but i did make my own holders out of 1" hdpe and put some rubber matting on the bottom. very heavy and brings up the stone so it is easy to flatten in the same way.

[@fredp1983]

Hi Rob, thanks for the throrough info! But I cant findanything about this Ruler trick? what is it???

[@filipkellner9776]

Hi Rob, i have your "older" recommended set eith Trend diamond and 16000 Shapton. I was looking after 500 Shapton lately to give it a try and i was surprised they now have Soft bond or Hard bond from each grit, to be used on different types of steel. I'm based in Europe tho don't know if you have the same. Would you mind explaining a bit the difference and which is better for what? Thanks a lot and keep it up!!

[@JaredRandal]

Do you think the ceramic Shaptons without the glass backs are good options?

[@congruewoodworks1474]

Hi Rob, Can you put a good edge with this system on an original Stanley blade? (as opposed to a thicker woodriver blade or a hock blade.)

[@mobleyjones]

Hey Rob, thanks for the video! What are your thoughts on the older shapton synthetic stones from the 2000's? I have the 1000, 5000,8000, and 12000, along with the diamond lapping plate from back then. I like them a lot but wondering about improvements that could be added. I think they made a 30,000 grit one to, but the price was crazy.

[@josephtianello8115]

What hand sharpening kit do you suggest for my wood turning tools

[@robertmunguia250]

I just bought a DMT 12 in diamond stone. How long will that last with regular use? Pretty expensive too.

[@yvesn58]

Hi Rob, I didn't find a video of you showing how to sharpen carbide inserts. Can you give me some clues? Thanks.

[@darrylportelli]

Hi, any idea of the difference between the glass series from Shapton and the Ha-no-kuromaku line (the 12K cream stone) ... the online wood work shop I order from in the EU only has the Ha-no-kuromaku line ..... Also any idea how the Naniwa 12K compares to the Shapton 12K ? they are almost identical in price ... cheers

[@tshev]

Hi, I have a question regarding the HoneRite Gold. Is it a Sodium Nitrite solution?

[@robohippy]

I chatted for a while this morning, with a tech at DMT. They now have 4000 and 8000 grit diamond plates. The 16000 is one I haven't been sold on yet. In particular because one British guy, Matt somebody, commented that his red rouge polishing compound was 16000 grit. In trying to find out polishing compound grits, apparently there are no standards..... ARGH!!!!!!

[@buddythompson5284]

So, just to recap, using the Trend 300/1000 diamond stone and a 16000 Shapton water stone gives really good results, but using all Shapton stones with a Shapton flattening stone gives better results because the Shapton flattening stone provides for flatter surfaces than does the Trend stone, is that correct?

[@spagati]

For flattening my stones and metal plates I use the Shapton 空母　(aircraft carrier). For the mirror side of my blades and chisels I use metal plates, first with silicon carbide then diamond paste. The metal plates I also maintain flat with the Shapton 空母. The mirror side I have to do it only once for the whole life of the chisel or blade. The burr comes of easily just by polishing the bevel.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

So what micron size is your diamond paste? The smallest made is around 1.5 micron but the Shapton 16k is .92 microns. Your system will absolutely work, but I think having a 16k stone that has finer abrasive and is ready to go is more convenient and gives a slightly better polish

[@spagati]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking The advantage is the flatness of the metal plate, it stays longer flat, so you can get a flat mirror side, with no distorsion in the reflections. With the stones I can’t get a flatness like that. Diamond paste you can get till 0.1 micron, I use 1.0 micron in the end, which sufficient for a very fine cutting edge.

[@nroman1977]

@RobCosman Silly question but is honeright safe for Kitchen Knives or food contact if the knife is hand washed and dried after sharpening?

[@spaaarky21]

Is that explanation of grit @3:20 right? If you split 1 square inch into 1000, each section would be juuust under 1/32" by 1/32". Even the particles on 80 grit sandpaper don't seem that big.

[@BGP369]

Same as with cutting edge (pun!) computer components over mainstream - 5% performance increase for 3x the price. For those with the money to not worry about this, go for it. For the rest of us, its a no brainer to go with the lower cost option while not going too cheap as to have it need replacing often.

[@ef2b]

I already own a DMT Dia-Flat lapping plate, which is 95 micron / 160 mesh grit. Is that too coarse for lapping the Shapton 16000 plate? It's supposed to be flat to 0.0005". I sharpen freehand, producing a convex bevel. This method doesn't work well on most water stones because of the possibility of catching and gouging the water stone. Is the Shaption 16000 harder so that gouges are less likely? Unfortunately, catches just happen. Maybe not often, but they happen. I have a #10000 Sigma Power stone that I use on occasion, but usually stay with oil or diamond and a strop, so I'd like to try the Shapton 16000.

[@ai1.0]

"Grit" it is number of wires for square inch or for linear inch?

[@bigbattenberg]

The million dollar question: exactly how thick is that flexible ruler? Talking angles, the thickness and width of the ruler and the width of the grinding stone produce the grinding angle.

[@vladimirkuznetsov5595]

Thanks for great lesson! there is a DMT diamond plate claimed to have 8000 grit surface, can it be used as a substituition to 8K shapton stone? Seems to be more afordable alternative with no need for reflatenning.. Do I miss something?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I don’t believe the 8k is a true 8k. I tried several and found them to be coarser than the 4K. Stick with the shapton.

[@thefleetfarmer1815]

Hey Rob do you ever use any varieties of soft maple for anything? I can only access soft maple(affordable) and would like your opinions. Also, maybe u could do a video going thru the various domestic hardwoods and their characteristics, stability and uses?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Yes of course. I use it often for boces, and all kinds of stuff. The term “ soft maple” is relative. Referring to its softer than its eastern cousin, but its still a hardwood and its harder than softwoods an most of the softer hardwoods. Its a good wood

[@justelvin]

You just saved me $500!

[@Escultura133]

Rob, I see thart you use Honerite as a lubricant. Since it is impossibble to me to get this in Argentina, I am wondering if I can just replace it with water plus a corrosion inhibitor, like the one people use to prevent corrosion in boilers and things like that. Has oHnerite special aditives, that make its use mandatory, or it can be substituted by a second best alternative?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

No harm in trying it.

[@PawPawsClan]

Rob, just bought a shapton 4000, 8000 and 16000. Man am i impressed and sharp as i could ever ask. However, I'm not finding much or any information on how to take care of / clean my stones of the grey slurry after sharpening. Could you please advise the best way to maintenance, clean and store my investment. thank you

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Hot water and a sharpening rule. I use it to scrape any of the really hard and crusty slur, the rest should just come off by rubbing it with your fingers after soaking in the hot water.

[@rollingstone3017]

Question: why Trend instead of, say, DMT?

[@vane5736]

I have been trying to sharpen my plane iron with some waterstones. It grinding off metal but not getting sharper. There is no burr. I'm using a honing jig on the 400 grit stone.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thats not good. Watch my video on how to sharpen plane blades. You should not have to start with such a heavy grit as 400, it will leave deep scratches that you have to remove. Watch the video. Even if you dont want to freehand, follow the steps with a jig

[@vane5736]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking thanks

[@buddythompson5284]

I had similar problems for a long time until I changed a couple of things. First, make sure the back of the iorn near the edge is truly flat all the way across the width of the iron. Using the ruler trick helps by limiting the amount of the back you have to flatten. Secondly, whether flattening the back or honing the bevel, don't press down on the iron any harder than you need to for it to remain in contact with the surface of the stone. I used to press down hard trying to get the stone to cut faster. That doesn't work and it takes only a very small inconsistency to ruin the edge you just cut. Let the stone do the cutting by itself. You're just guiding the blade over the stone.

[@vane5736]

@@buddythompson5284 thanks

[@alexroge6495]

The trend plates really aren’t flat enough for chisel backs. They are no different from all the other Chinese made dia plates. I’m sure the shapton is great, but a much cheaper way to get truly flat is by useing lapping flim on a granite surface plate or float glass.

[@ganjasmoke21]

I bought the 300/1000 that you recommended, and I tried flattening some of my whetstones with it. Not sure what I did but now my whetstones don’t even seem to cut well they produce a dull cloudy effect it’s really strange. Any advice would be really appreciated.

[@ChristopherPhillipsDev]

I purchased one of those myself with the intent to use it as a flattening plane for my wetstones. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why the stones weren't producing an even sharpening along the chisel edge. I finally checked the diamond plate's flatness and it wasn't even flat. If you laid a straight edge across the width, you could see a lot of light coming through the middle area. This was far more prominent on the 300 side. Extremely disappointed that I assumed it would be perfectly flat out of the box. I should've checked it and returned it asap.

[@cbat09]

Do you use the ruler for the back of a low angle (bevel up) plane blade?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Yes!

[@dotdot7779]

Hey Rob (or anyone who uses his system too sharpen their tools) why do you prefer the 16000 shapton vs. Stropping? Thanks!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

To maintain a straight edge.

[@joeyshofner639]

I am so jealous. All I have is a 30 dollar double sided water stone I bought from Amazon.

[@daw162]

add an inexpensive double sided india stone and a piece of MDF with autosol and you'll match any edge Rob makes. Shapton 12k cream edge: i.imgur.com/cGOlRds.jpg Autosol on yellow pine: i.imgur.com/FIK1g4n.jpg These are under a metallurgical microscope at 150x. Not much of what's on the market at a high price right now is anything more than highly marked up marketing.

[@fernandocastillo8187]

Hello Rob. I'm planning to buy the combination you recommend In this video. Tren Diamond + Shapton. However I have read more than a few reviews arguing that the 1,000 side of this diamond plate often is not flat. Have you ever encounter this problem? I know that you can send back a defective product and ask for a replacement or a refund but when you buy your tool what you want is to use them. I kind of know what your answer would be but........ What would you recommend?

[@Ramic92]

I am also curious about your thoughts on this👍🏽

[@rostoi6985]

Hello, thanks for sharing this knowledge. I am wondering if thé ppl saying that thé 1000 is enought are really wrong. I also believe you are right. 1000 is enought for most of thé planings (flatening a board, putting a board to size, etc.) and 16000 is good for thé smoothing plane. May bé thé ppl you quoted don't use machins at all and that They Can not share your point of view as it seems you are using machins to make boards flat for example and mainly using planes for thé finishing tasks ?

[@tompossessed1729]

You probably ain't checking on this video but this is the only video on sharpen stones. My question to you is thoughts on the Norton and spyderco ceramic stones because they grit up to 2000 to 8000 and don't wear down like the Sharpton ceramic water stone

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I have found Shapton to be the best in terms of blade performance. It doesn’t bother me that they wear, I get at least 5 years out of it

[@stevehutson7261]

My Trend diamond plate and Sharpton 16K are on the way (I saw the shipping notice from RobCosman.com this morning). I was looking at the iron on my brand new 5 1/2 yesterday, and noticed a couple of visible nicks in the edge. Do I need to remove those before I can do the 32 seconds to sharp, or will your system remove those in that short a time?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

depends on how deep the nicks are. Do an extra heavy secondary on the Trend, say 20 seconds instead of 10. This might take you below the nick. I check with my finger nail pulling towards me.

[@stevehutson7261]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks! I'll give that a try. I really appreciate your teaching and the great customer service.

[@WeedMIC]

is 16k any different that "rouge" on a strop?

[@Woodwork-Learner]

The shapton has a more consistent grit size than a cheap polishing compound though they can have a smaller micron size than a shapton. Be careful with grit size as they are not always the best indicator of actual grit size. Shapton 16000 grit is just below 1 micron. I use rouge on solid leather and have not noticed it blunting any tool more than the wood does but my time is not as valuable as Rob's. If it was I would think about getting a Shapton.

[@mynonameyt]

Excellent video, but I don’t know if I want to drop that much cash unless these are great stones for knives also. What’s your opinion?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Will sharpen any steel blade, originally designed for chef knives.

[@jeremychunkmyers4721]

What is the name of that sharpening ruler and where do i find one lol i just lost the little ruler i used 3 days ago and cannot find a suitable replacement and on a side note my woodriver 5 1/2 just came yesterday woo hoo and my star adjustment wheel should be here within a week thanks rib and team love the videos. Ps i also ordered my ol lady the light blue php shirt and she cant wait for it to get here we both love what yall do and especoally you rob

[@jeremychunkmyers4721]

Sorry bout the 1st rib rob lol

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We have them specially made without etchings. You can find them on our website at robcosman.com under sharpeni g

[@jeremychunkmyers4721]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking fantastic thanks guess i shoulda looked harder when i ordered my star wheel lol thanks