Carborundum?

Buck268 · Dec 18, 2006

Well, I figured out that my bench stone is a carborundum dual grit. Don't know the grits, but the fine side leaves a nice polish and the stone feels very smooth to the touch.

Anyways, according to wikipidia, carborundum stones are silica carbide. Is this the same carbide that tends to tear the steel away and leave a jagged unfinished edge? If so, it would definately explain the speed of sharpening on it, as well as my inability to get a razor edge on either the course or fine side without a decent amount of time spent on my old worn out arkansas...

Sure is great for reprofiling though!

hardheart · Dec 18, 2006

what colors are the two sides of your stone

Buck268 · Dec 18, 2006

Grey and grey.

inspira · Dec 18, 2006

i have one like that. its like 100 grit on the coarse side. i've switched to an inexpensive king waterstone. Doesn't leave lots of shiny gouge marks on the edge and is much finer.

hardheart · Dec 18, 2006

might be a 120/320

Buck268 · Dec 18, 2006

I was thinking on getting new arkansas stone to finish up on, sounds like a good idea?

hardheart · Dec 18, 2006

you could maybe just break the glaze and flatten your old one

Buck268 · Dec 18, 2006

Well, it seems to have developed bumps or waves on both surfaces of the stone.

redhawk44p · Dec 18, 2006

I lay a masonary cutting blade from a chop saw on the table and flatten my carborundum stones with it.

sodak · Dec 18, 2006

redhawk44p said:
I lay a masonary cutting blade from a chop saw on the table and flatten my carborundum stones with it.

I've seen you recommend this in other threads, great idea!

Ben Dover · Dec 21, 2006

redhawk44p said:
I lay a masonary cutting blade from a chop saw on the table and flatten my carborundum stones with it.

Would that work with Norton waterstones?? If so, any special precautions or procedures to observe???

TIA,

Ben

redhawk44p · Dec 21, 2006

Ben Dover said:
Would that work with Norton waterstones?? If so, any special precautions or procedures to observe???

TIA,

Ben

I just do my cheap carborundum stones that way. The chop saw blade occasionally will leave a groove in the stone. I then have to go to sandpaper on a flat substrate to finish the job. I would not use this method on a stone I valued.

spyken · Dec 21, 2006

the stones are great for reprofiling. they cost $3 here and are great for farm / gardening tools. I need to finish off on a smooth waterstone though....