After discussing the topic of grit coarseness and fineness we decided to come up with our own chart. Since one person's "fine" and one manufacturers "fine" may mean something completely different we established a 1 to 10 grit chart with 1 being the most coarse and 10 being the most fine. This allows you to better understand what each grit is used for and make a more educated buying decision.
| Level |
Description
|
Particle Size |
Available Stones |
| 1 |
Extremely Coarse - Fastest metal removal, leaves very visible scratches in cutting edge. |
100+ Micron |
Extra Extra Coarse Diamond,
Coarse Crystolon |
| 2 |
Coarse - Very fast metal removal, leaves visible scratches in cutting edge. Most coarse stones commonly available. |
60-100 Micron |
Extra Coarse Diamond, Coarse India, 220 Grit Waterstone |
| 3 |
Medium Coarse - Fast metal removal rate, scratches not as visible. Finest recommended grit for dull tools and knives. |
45-60 Micron |
Medium Crystolon, Coarse Diamond |
| 4 |
Medium - Good metal removal rate, light sctaches edge. Intermediate stage before finer grits. |
35-45 Micron |
Medium India, Fine Crystolon |
| 5 |
Medium Fine - Minimum recommended grit for final stage of most knives. Edge does not appear sctached but frosted. Finer than medium but sharpening rate slower. |
25-35 Micron |
Fine India |
| 6 |
Fine - Modest sharpening rate, leaves metal edge with frosted appearance. Edge sharpness equivalent to majority of factory edges on knives, tools. |
15-25 |
Fine Diamond, Soft Arkansas, 1000 Grit Waterstone |
| 7 |
Extra Fine - Slow sharpening rate. Edge is showing a polished looking edge. Very sharp edge better than most factory edges on good knives. |
8-15 Micron |
Extra Fine Diamond, Hard Arkansas |
| 8 |
Extremely Fine - Edge is extremely sharp. Very slow sharpening speed. Edge reflects light very well. |
4-8 Micron |
Norton 4000 Waterstone, Hard Black Arkansas, Hard Translucent Arkansas |
| 9 |
Near Mirror Polish - Edge is very near perfect. Grits past this stage provides only modest benefit. Leave edge polished to naked eye. |
2-4 Micron |
Norton 8000 Waterstone, DMT Extra Extra Fine Diamond Stone |
| 10 |
Mirror Polish - Sharpest edge possible, extremely slowing sharpening. Leaves mirror edge without visible flaws. |
0-2 Micron |
Diamond Paste, Green Honing Compound, Abrasive Powder |
