I wondered which stones you initially use when you reprofile a very hard blade, like one made of S30V or M390. Do you still use the standard 100 grit stones or the 80 or the 50 grit ones? Any difference for hard carbon steels?

You can use the 100 grit paddles, but the 50 and 80 will speed things up.

However, be prepared to spend a lot of time, either way! S30V and M390 are abrasion resistant, which just takes longer all around.

I find my 50/80 combo get's through the S90V, S30V and ZDP189 pretty good for the big reprofile (I wouldn't want to do it with just 100 though).

I have some M390 knives on pre-order that should be in in a few months. Can't wait to try that. I hear the Bohler K390 is real fun stuff too (not ).