Diamond stones and S30V

[angusW]

I've read around the net that S30V steel should not be sharpened with diamond stones but an in depth explanation never followed. I like to know why procedures should be done. It gives me a better understanding of what's going on.

The reason I'm asking is last week I really did a number on my black satin Para 2 so yesterday I had time to fix it. I would have been all day on the Sharpmaker with the brown stones so instead decided to use the course, fine and then extra fine diamond bench stones. It was followed up by the white stones on the Sharpmaker.

It cuts pretty good now but did I kill my knife? Sometimes a rumour gets started and then gets repeated until it becomes the golden law yet no one knows why we do it. Anyone have any good info on why diamond stones should not be used with S30V?

[Donut]

I think that some people just prefer the edge they get from a ceramic or stone sharpening. From what has been said on this forum, I don't see why Diamond would harm S30V at all.

[O,just,O]

:confused: Don't know how you can harm it, stock removal is stock removal.
Your diamond stones are usually a bit coarse to get the fine edge that most like on S30V, but finnishing on the white stones cures that.
Super steel -- Super sharpener.
O.

[angusW]

I agree O. It's just I've read a few posts, can't find them now, on how people mention not to use S30V on diamond stones and it came to my mind when I was fixing my Para 2. I was really happy with the results and wasn't even going to use the white stones on the SM. I really wasn't worried if I ruined my knife or not, just curious if anyone thought so and could explain why.

[salimoneus]

Diamond stones remove a lot of metal, so if the knife is dull a diamond stone may make much quicker work of the job. Diamond stones should however not be used on knives that are regularly maintained, it's just not necessary to take that much metal off and it will significantly shorten the lifespan of your blade.

[Zenith]

I use diamonds on all my knives. To maintain as well. The main thing: it takes less time for stock removel. When maintaining I use lighter pressure on the stone and it makes short work of even M4 in 3-4 alternating strokes. On a ceramic it takes 10-15 alternating strokes. It all comes down to one thing: "Skills, not tools" murray Carter. I can get the same results on silicone carbide stones, it just takes longer.

[JD Spydo]

From a metallurgical standpoint I can't for the life of me see why diamond whetstones would be having any detrimental results on S30V blade steel. I can't see why diamond abrasives would affect S30V ( or any other steel for that matter) or the edge geometry in a way that would cause any bad results any more than it would any other steel alloy.

When S30V first hit the market back around 02-03 there were a lot of comments on the internet about it having "micro-chipping" problems. But from what I was told by experts in the field that had more to do with improper heat treating more than anything. I was also told that S30V did indeed show some micro-chipping problems in extreme cold weather use as well.

I've personally used just about every abrasive imaginable on all of my User S30V blades with no ill effects what so ever. This has truly got to be more of a "he said, she said" type of rumor more than anything IMO.

[The Deacon]

Never had a problem yet sharpening S30V on DMT diamond stones, and I've been doing so for six or seven years. Regardless of the type stones you use, you control the amount of metal you remove from the blade by choosing an appropriate grit, and using appropriate pressure for an appropriate number of strokes.

[BAL]

Agree with what every one has said above. I have never had any issues myself and can't see why it would be a problem if the blade needs it. I don't use them eveytime, only when a blade gets way out of whack or I am sharpening an old cheap knife that has been abused.