: Another neat method to avoid the cost of diamond stones is to use wet and dry
: sandpaper over a piece of glass. I can't remember his name, but a canoe
: builder/craftsman at the Newfound Wood show demonstrated and endorsed it.
: You can get grits up to 300 in Autobody stores and boating stores.

I use this method, the "Scary-Sharp" method, and I use 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,500 and 2,000 grits in the silicone-carbide ( wet/dry ) paper on a piece of 3/8" thick plate glass about 16" x 20". I have a cheap guide to keep my angles and work the blades about 15 seconds on each grit ( wet ) and it always comes out like a mirror and sharp enough to shave with. Done it with a block plane blade.

For blades that are difficult or impossible to use the guide, I glued some strips of each grit to some paint stir sticks using 3m Super 77 adhesive and I use those like files to sharpen them. Important to keep the file motion straight and not a rolling motion.

It's the cheapest and quickest method I've ever used, and there's no resurfacing of stones and oil to clean up. When done I just set the glass in a corner till next time.

Most expensive part was the glass which cost me around $ 8 to 9.00.
You can pick up the sheets of sand paper at the auto-paint stores as mentioned. Cut/tear it into quarters and you're set. Replace when worn or torn. Only a few cents each sheet.

Rehd