Anybody still using silicon carbide stones

O

orthogonal1

Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
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Recently I had reason to consider the old silicon carbide two grit stones again.

The can be used to put a decent edge on knives today just as they did for decades, but hardly anyone seems to mention them these days on the forums.

Anyone still using these?
 
They are if they're using "Crystolon" stones by Norton. (Not to mention the many other hones that utilize silicon carbide.)
 
In the past (maybe about 2 years ago, IIRC) knifemaker Phil Wilson stated in some posts made here on BFC that he uses SiC stones ... and I believe he said he uses Windex or similar instead of honing oil. Phil IMO is incredibly knowledgeable, works with steels such as S30V, and I'm told makes some outstanding blades. So I assume he knows a thing or two about sharpening and stones.
 
Phil makes incredible knives, I'm fortunate enough to have one. He is one of the more knowledgeable folks on knives around here. I usually read his posts several times to make sure I don't miss something. Ed Fowler also uses Norton India's as well (same remarks about Ed's knowledge), and he uses kerosene instead of Windex for lubrication.

I use them in my garage (smell of kerosene) when I feel like I need a relaxing evening. They aren't as fast as diamonds, but they get you there, just the same.
 
Silicon Carbide leaves the roughest edge for its grit size of any hone I have used. When I think of old hones I think of Aluminum Oxide which leaves a smoother finish. I wouldn't use silicon carbide as a finishing step.
 
I use Norton SiC stones which they developed back in the 1940's.They cut very close to the speed of diamond and are far more economical to buy and use.I'd use it for rebeveling and a starting stone on very dull knives.DM
 
I use them ( the two-sided SC benchstones), but just for the garden tools,axes, and machetes.
 
Jeff Clark said:
Silicon Carbide leaves the roughest edge for its grit size of any hone I have used. When I think of old hones I think of Aluminum Oxide which leaves a smoother finish. I wouldn't use silicon carbide as a finishing step.
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Do you let it "slurry" up or keep it clean?
 
I think the cheap black ones are a great value for your coarsest hone. The coarse side removes steel pretty darn quick. I like them almost as much as my DMt xxc.
 
I have been using the Norton Fine India my grandfather gave me in the 50's, and yes kerosene. It is still flat and works very well. My favorite for quick use is 320 grit auto body sand paper. Needs no lube, no clean up - toss it and tear off another piece. Glue it or lay it on anything flat and you are set. You can carry a piece in your billfold in comfort.
 
David Martin said:
I use Norton SiC stones which they developed back in the 1940's.They cut very close to the speed of diamond and are far more economical to buy and use.I'd use it for rebeveling and a starting stone on very dull knives.DM
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Heck yes I still use them also!! I enjoy using the medium and fine SIC grits made by Norton or, if I'm in the area, the cheap combo SIC stones sold at the Asian market intended for commercial restaurant kitchen use, $8 for a 12" x 2.5" x 1.5" in medium/fine (2-3 at a time for that money, lol).

Coarse grit I'd use for flattening an Arkansas or med/fine SIC stone not much else. Prefer them over diamond stones any day for the money.

I use the Walmart automotive windshield wiper cleaner, $1-2 for a gallon or kerosene cut with baby oil or mineral oil ($.65 a pint, sold as a laxative), 1:2 or 3, as a lubricant.

Does a terrific job removing the steel I need removed when reprofiling beater knives.

When they need to be flattened because they've started to cup, I take 'em to the sidewalk or an 8" cinder block with sand (better still SIC grit but that gets expensive).

Love 'em!
 
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I finally got my "groove" on Arkansas stones. I also use files, and a belt grinder for rough work, but for finishing I prefer Arkansas. For each his own, what works best for one......

Matt
 
Good discussion. Personally, I don't care for SiC stones. But for carbon steel and lower alloyed stainlesses -- meaning, the ones without a lot of vanadium or other things that produce really hard carbides -- I truly prefer a medium Norton India (aluminum oxide) stone. Something about the feel when sharpening, plus it produces are very high quality edge for the grit.

For high alloy stainless, I use diamond hones.
 
Native Justice said:
Heck yes I still use them also!! I enjoy using the medium and fine SIC grits made by Norton or, if I'm in the area, the cheap combo SIC stones sold at the Asian market intended for commercial restaurant kitchen use, $8 for a 12" x 2.5" x 1.5" in medium/fine (2-3 at a time for that money, lol).
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How do you know what you are getting in terms of grit? I don't need an exact number, but I'd like to know that I'm getting at least a rather coarse (100 to 200 grit) stone when I buy silicon carbide. As for "fine", I think that's probably a complete waste of time with Sic and I'd use something else. But I have interest in buying a medium sized quantity of coarse stones and the cheap ones I see online have next to no information. For example, here's an Sic stone that's 8x2x1, says it's "finest quality silicon carbide", and it's a whopping $0.93. Yes that's 93 cents. :)

http://www.kitchensupplydirect.com/158-821.html

I'd like to buy 10 or 15 of them if they are the equivalent of a Norton medium crystolon. Or this one that's 12x2x1 for the low low price of $2.40:

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/update-international/g-0212/p9077.aspx

It appears to be a combo stone, which is a waste, but I don't mind ignoring one side... I just don't know what any of them actually are. Plus those sites have very similar items that are 3 times the price of these, from the same manufacturer, in the same size. As you can tell, I'm a little confused. :)

If anyone can shed any light, I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks,

Brian.
 
"Grit" size is an issue. One company's "fine" is another company's medium, for example.

I have some old "Carbondium" stones that are significantly finer than any of my other SiC stones. I got these used, though.

Some "razor hones" are as fine as these.

All I can recommend is to actually touch the ones you're looking to buy to determine the "grit".
 
bgentry said:
How do you know what you are getting in terms of grit? I don't need an exact number, but I'd like to know that I'm getting at least a rather coarse (100 to 200 grit) stone when I buy silicon carbide. As for "fine", I think that's probably a complete waste of time with Sic and I'd use something else. But I have interest in buying a medium sized quantity of coarse stones and the cheap ones I see online have next to no information. For example, here's an Sic stone that's 8x2x1, says it's "finest quality silicon carbide", and it's a whopping $0.93. Yes that's 93 cents. :)

http://www.kitchensupplydirect.com/158-821.html

I'd like to buy 10 or 15 of them if they are the equivalent of a Norton medium crystolon. Or this one that's 12x2x1 for the low low price of $2.40:

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/update-international/g-0212/p9077.aspx

It appears to be a combo stone, which is a waste, but I don't mind ignoring one side... I just don't know what any of them actually are. Plus those sites have very similar items that are 3 times the price of these, from the same manufacturer, in the same size. As you can tell, I'm a little confused. :)

If anyone can shed any light, I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks,

Brian.
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That's why I buy Norton, because they have consistent grits that I trust sight unseen (that's money in the bank for me, predictable results!). The Market I buy the cheapos from I can handle and look at the grit of the stone first hand. I never ever buy a no name brand stone sight unseen. Just looking for trouble and disappointment if you do.

Good luck
 
I sometimes use two-sided bench stones, mostly on Mora knives that need to be re-shaped.
Sometimes I also use what around here is called scythe hones, boat shaped silcon carbide, often coarse and fine, for easy maintaining those moras. They are what we thought of as a hone when I was a kid:) I remember them as not wery fun with my first Buck folding hunter.

timann
 
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