1.5 Micron Boron Carbide on a Black Arkansas...

Gotsouthern

Gotsouthern

Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
231
Okay, first things first, Im a big believer in credit where credit is due. This whole deal was told to me by Keith at HA. That being said...

When I placed my order a month or so back with HA, it was a rather extensive one to say the least, Keith was nice enough to hook me up with a few freebies, one of which was a small Black Hard Arkansas (BHA) stone. I'd played with it a good bit and got to like it as a intermediate stone b/w my DMT EF and a 1 micron strop. So anyhow, I was ordering some more stuff from him a few nights ago, and we got on the subject of the BHA and its grit level and all that, and he mentioned that in the past he had read in a woodworking journal about putting Boron Carbide paste or spray on top of said stone. As he put it, "it does something to the stone". I'll say. So the last few days I've been experimenting with that method and I tell ya what, its a winner. The edge actually comes off of there sharper than if I do the BHA and then BC on 3M film (previous method). It has a very interesting consistency to it as well, a nice polish with just a hint of haze, but still toothy enough to grab just a bit when drug across a given surface. It seems to be one of those instances of something that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. I can only assume the pores of the stone hold the BC grains in place better to do their work. Whatever the science of it is, I'm a big fan. Thought I would pass this along for any of you who happen to have a BHA and some BC paste sitting around or want to experiment. I'd have never in a million years thought of it myself, but I can assure you I won't soon forget!! :D
 
Very great news! Thanks for sharing! I just made a slurry with some BC and glycerine and sodak's old coticule stone hanging around... :D
 
Very interesting, thanks for sharing! I'd be interested in how it turns out also with that coticule!
 
David Martin said:
I suppose one could use a diamond paste as well for the same results . DM
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I certainly can't imagine why not!! The thought has crossed my mind to get a slightly more aggressive diamond paste (say 3 micron) and go at it with that see where that gets me. As well, I have 0 experience with water stones (that will change in due time) and as has already been mentioned, there is tons of room to play and experiment when you introduce those into the mix. Im really curious to hear back from some folks when they play around with this a bit, especially some of y'all with a lot more experience than myself.
 
David Martin said:
I suppose one could use a diamond paste as well for the same results . DM
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Norton actually recommends this in their catalog and gives a couple of recommendations for which grades to use with some whetstones, etc. I have never tried it, but it is on my list of things to experiment with.
 
sodak said:
I'd be interested in how it turns out also with that coticule!
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Will have to try again. The mixture I put on the coticule was too sparse, so it was too little BC and too much visible garnet.

During that time, I had my squeezy bottle tilted downward so that the next substrate would get more BC goodness (the stuff only seems to work for me when it's lightly wasted - it works when there's exactly a little too much). That next substrate? Norton "Hard Arkansas" oilstone. The results - an aggressive feeling edge that pops hairs. Nothing an Arkansas edge doesn't already do on its own. The knife was ZDP-bladed folder and I've heard Arkansas stones don't work quickly on them, but never tried to prove/disprove that statement, so maybe the added BC was awesome, maybe it was silly, maybe I need to use oil or lanolin instead of glycerine. Only know that it was fun.
 
So Thom, Are you saying the BC mixture improved the cutting speed of the Black Arkansas . Or didn't do what you expected . DM
 
Neither. I'm saying that, having never tried sharpening ZDP on an Arkansas, I lack a reference point to know if the results were the same, better, or worse.
 
Maybe will need a third try on that Belgian Blue garnet refuge in my creepy basement. Last night, I had the bottle upside down and the BC mixture was too thick this time. Results were better than when too thin, but still not admirable. Thinking of smearing diamond paste, buffing compound, or hubcap polish on the blue stone to ensure a uniform mixture. If it doesn't work with another compound, I'm stumped. I mean, sure, it points to a lack of skill, but I've done the supercharging thing successfully with an Arkansas and BC ala Gotsouthern and have done a rough-grinding version with a Crystolon and some 80 grit silicon carbide powder (vive la messy). Hmm....
 
Since, I could not find a supplier willing to sell me some boron carbide, I made/obtained a slurry for my 4X8" hard Arkansas stone . I merely saved my sharpening dust and procured more from meat markets outof their Tri-hone oil pans as well . The grits ran around 20 (and less)microns and are mixed in mineral oil . I put 2 drops on the stone working it in before sharpening . I sharpened a older Buck 119 w/ 440C blade on it first . I was amazed at the difference this made on sharpening time and strokes . I use this stone as my final stone before stropping and it usually takes me 30-40 strokes to obtain the desired results . But this time it only required 15-20 strokes to get the same results and the edge had some bite to it . Even after stropping the edge was much sharper than other knives I've done in the same manner . This is preliminary but I'd say Gotsouthern has put forth some good information here . DM
 
Just as an update from my end, I've been playing with this method a pretty good bit since my op. I've come to find keeping just the right amount of moisture in the mix is key. Too thick and drys out, too thin and it runs off. That BHA draws the moisture through itself at a fairly quick rate, as it is a very thin stone (well >.5") But all in all, its proving out to be a very reliable performer across a lot of steels. That BC just cuts like nobody's business. And like David mentioned, for you guys who like an edge with just a hint of bite left in it, yet well-refined none the less, this is a way to go.
 
Southern, I orginally acted on your findings to improve the cutting ability of my Arkansas . Then stumbled onto other benefits as well . Yes, good point it does dry out . My stone is 1" thick and it as well draws the liquid out creating a more cakeing surface . So, add alittle H2O or oil which ever you use . DM
 
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