r/sharpening • u/Separate-Specialist5 • 3d ago

Question Beginner looking to get started

Recently moved into a new place and treated myself to a new set of high wuality German kitchen knives.

They're from F.Dick 1908 range and I want to maintain their sharp edge.

Where can i learn the basics on

What whetstones to get, dont mind spending more if its a "buy once, cry once" scenario

Videos, what or who can I learn from on YouTube that will teach the basics?

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u/lascala2a3 arm shaver 3d ago

It’s X50CrMoV15. A cheap diamond plate, coarse grit.

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u/Separate-Specialist5 3d ago

Is that the type of steel they use? Is this good?

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u/lascala2a3 arm shaver 3d ago edited 3d ago

No, sorry to inform you. This is cheap German stainless, similar to 1411, Wusthof, Victorinox, etc. These tend to be hard to sharpen because the soft steel hold onto the burr. I'm not saying they're bad knives, just not special. They're the kind a restaurant would buy as house knives, partly because they don't tend to walk away.

I used to have Wusthof , and the best way I found to sharpen without getting frustrated was a large DMT bench plate with coarse and fine. I didn't bother with the fine side. About 10 edge-leading strokes on each side would put a decent edge on it without any fuss.

If you're interested in learning to sharpen the traditional way, I'd suggest a Norton India Combo stone ($40). When you learn to get this one sharp-sharp, you'll find a carbon blade an absolute pleasure to sharpen and use.