Here’s how you can likely identify the rolling knifer sharpener disks on your Pioneero barrel rolling knife sharpener (or other brands), along with some general information about grit:

Understanding Grit

• Lower numbers = Coarser grit: These are for repairing damaged edges or significantly reshaping a blade. They remove material quickly.
• Higher numbers = Finer grit: These are for refining the edge, polishing, and achieving a razor-sharp finish. They remove material slowly.

Identifying Your Sharpening Discs

If your instructions are unclear, here’s a breakdown based on typical sharpening disc characteristics:

• #400 Diamond Disc: This will be the roughest disc. It will likely have a noticeable texture and may even feel slightly gritty to the touch. It’s often metallic-looking due to the diamond coating.

• #1000 Whetstone Disc: This will be smoother than the #400 diamond disk but still have a noticeable texture. It will likely be a grey or stone-like color. In the case of the Pioneero rolling sharpener, this is the blue disc.

• #2000 Whetstone Disc: This will be smoother than the #1000 disc, with a finer texture. It will likely be a lighter grey or a different shade of stone-like color compared to the #1000. This is the “green” disk of the Pioneero rolling barrel knife sharpener.

• #4000 Whetstone Disc: This will be the smoothest of the four discs, with a very fine texture. It may even feel almost polished. It will likely be a white, light grey, or a very fine-grained stone color. This is the “white” disk of the Pioneero rolling knife sharpener.

Additional Tips for Identification

• Visual Inspection: Look closely at the surface of each disc. The coarser grits will have more visible and larger abrasive particles.
• Touch Test: Gently run your finger across the surface of each disc (be careful not to cut yourself). The coarser grits will feel rougher, while the finer grits will feel smoother.
• Comparison: If possible, compare the discs to other sharpening stones or sandpaper you might have. This can help you get a better sense of the relative coarseness of each grit.

Should you use water to sharpen with a rolling whetstone knife sharpener?

Here’s why and what to do:

• Whetstones and Water: Traditional whetstones (also known as water stones) are designed to be used with water. The water serves several purposes:
  • Lubrication: It reduces friction between the blade and the stone, preventing excessive heat buildup that could damage the blade’s temper.
  • Swarf Removal: It helps to float away the metal particles (swarf) produced during sharpening, preventing the stone from becoming clogged and maintaining its cutting efficiency.  
  • Cooling: It helps to keep both the blade and the stone cool.
• How to Use Water with Your Sharpener:
  • Soaking: It’s generally recommended to soak whetstones in water for a period of time before use. The exact soaking time can vary depending on the type of stone, but 5-10 minutes is usually sufficient.  
  • During Sharpening: Keep the stones wet during the sharpening process. You can use a spray bottle or a small container of water to periodically re-wet the stones as needed.  
• Diamond Discs and Water: While some diamond sharpening tools are designed to be used dry, others can benefit from water lubrication. Since your sharpener includes both diamond and whetstone discs, it’s a good indication that water is intended to be used with the system.

Important Considerations:

• Refer to the Manufacturer: If possible, double-check the manufacturer’s website or any included documentation for specific instructions on using water with your Pioneero sharpener. This will provide the most accurate guidance.
• Clean Up: After sharpening, be sure to clean the stones and your knife thoroughly. Allow the stones to air dry completely before storing them.

Using water with your whetstone discs will help you achieve better sharpening results and prolong the life of both your stones and your knives.

I hope this helps you identify your sharpening discs!