Ok forgive me if Im behind the power curve on this one. I have had trouble getting montecs shaving sharp and as most people know they do not come that way out of the package. Ive heard many people complain about how hard they are to sharpen and I thought so also. I even purchased the flat diamond stone from G5 and it wouldnt get them shaving sharp. I did however find a very easy way to get them so you can shave with them. Even though they dont mention it on the G5 website if you wet their diamond stone it makes very quick work of it. Just a few strokes on each side and I had one shaving sharp. It was amazing the differance just getting the stone wet made.

Anytime, one sharpens any tool with a stone or diamond like gatco or landsky, its a given you should add some honing oil to it.

Sharpening is the one thing I am good at in life. So I have alot of nice sharpening tools. But I admit, if a person is not big on sharpening thier pocket knife at least, these heads can be a pain.

I used my gatco system once. I started with the medium diamond, and hit all 3 sides like 4 times each. I then moved to the fine diamond and again about 4 times each. I then used a whetstone very lightly. I finished off with some stroping leather impregnated with a fine abrasive. Very sharp now.

This was my first time using a diamond stone and G5 never said a thing about getting it wet first. They even have a little video online and said nothing aboutit on there either. I sharpen all my hunting knives myself and easialy get them shaving sharp, usualy just need a set of ceramic stiks and I could shave with them. I never tried a regular stone and honing oil on the montecs. I thought it might be useful to some people, Im in no way doubting your technique on sharpening them Bigcountry, the way I found just seems easier.

Mine were very sharp out of the package. You sure you didn't get the practice tips instead?
My only problem, is the head I used to take my deer last year is blunted at the tip. It will take a lot of sharpening to get the fine tip back.

You must've got the only package of sharp Montecs I've ever heard of.

I spend about 15 minutes on each new one to get it even close to what I consider sharp. 400 grit Arkansas stone (oiled) - until the machine marks are gone from the edge, 600 grit diamond stone (watered), 750 grit diamond (watered), 1200 grit diamond (watered), 2000 grit ceramic stone (oiled) then stropped on a 3x5 card (dry) until surgically sharp.The edges look like a polished mirror when I'm done with them and they'll shave hairs in half just passing them over your arm without touching the skin.

Do you sharpen from front to back or across the sides?

I go side to side on my diamond stone. Sounds like Kodiak gets his a bit sharper than mine but as far as Im concerned if it can shave hair easialy thats sharp enough.