Teach me about diamond stones.

[François Pugh]

Rather than admit that I suck at tuning, I'm going with my diamond stones are worn out. I seem to recall starting a thread about this some time ago, but I can't find it. Time for an update anyway. My local shop has two options: Swix Uni performance and Swix Racing Pro. I didn't get a good explanation on what makes the "Racing Pro" stones cost 30 CAD more than the Uni Performance ones.
What can you all teach me about these stones?
Should I get a set of 5 or will three do (I've been going with two)?
Are there better stones out there that won't leave me broke?
Should I just get an edge grinder and be done with it?
I like sharp edges.

 

[Tom K.]

@SlideWright has some cool stone products in the works.

Discussed in the latter portions of @Noodler's thread here: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/build-your-own-diamond-puck-stones.25253/

There are better experts that will chime in soon, so I'll just say that stones last a long, long time as long as you never ever use them dry.

Personally, I like a mix of water, rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of Dawn, because why make it too simple?

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Maybe I fell for the marketing but... The pros are supposed to be more durable. I personally use simple green as a lubricant (versus say secret sauce)

 

[François Pugh]

I found this using google to research stones, not through our search function

Cheap vs expensive diamond stones

So looking at stones there seems to be a billion different options out there, ranging from $$$ (at least up here in Canada) Moonflex stones, to DMT stones, to Wintersteiger stones, to super cheap "DMD" stones on Amazon. Is there really that much of a difference between them all? I can assume...

www.skitalk.com

 

[SlideWright]

Rather than admit that I suck at tuning, I'm going with my diamond stones are worn out.

It's always the tool (or gear) at fault, not the craftsman.

I seem to recall starting a thread about this some time ago, but I can't find it. Time for an update anyway. My local shop has two options: Swix Uni performance and Swix Racing Pro. I didn't get a good explanation on what makes the "Racing Pro" stones cost 30 CAD more than the Uni Performance ones.
What can you all teach me about these stones?
Should I get a set of 5 or will three do (I've been going with two)?
Are there better stones out there that won't leave me broke?
Should I just get an edge grinder and be done with it?
I like sharp edges.

Quick note:

Quality/grade and durability of materials are at play that affect costs. Also plastic vs aluminum backings.

The 200x & 400x grit are your main diamonds. I like a 100x for sure for more cutting. Beyond 400x is dealer's choice. Files have a definite direction for cutting. Stones & diamonds don't care. Note: never drag a file backwards along the edges.

From another thread:

FTR, files cut the edge. Diamonds cut and polish/hone, depending on grit. Metal scrapers (ie, wood scraping) work best when they are burnished and and have a definite burr. Then there's knife sharpening.

Typical diamond files/stones by grit:

• 100 Grit: Extra coarse for aggressive cutting
• 200 Grit: Coarse for medium cutting
• 400 Grit: Medium coarse for micro cutting and polishing
• 600 Grit Fine for polishing
• 800 Grit & Above: fine polishing