I have purchased two combo stones from Natural Whetstones Co.
http://www.naturalwhetstone.com/productssharpening2.htm
As a preface, there are other other sources but this one was far less expensive. Perhaps this is where I chose wrong.
Anyway, I was provided with two amply sized combo stones: Arkansas Black-Soft; and Hard-Washiba. (1x3x10)
The first batch sent to me separated due to a faulty adhesive and they were decidedly dished. The seller replaced them and paid for return shipping.
During the time that I had them I put a lot of work into flattening them by using mucho 65 grit sandpaper which was placed face up on a flat porcelain 12x12
tile. But, I threw up my hands with the black stone.
Images below are of the second batch. By the time that I received them I had abdomen surgery and a slow heal. I imagine that I have had this batch for 3 months.
Not real happy with them but then again I'm a rookie and have very little for comparison. These were all dished, as well. I used a newly acquired tool---atoma 140
flattening plate intended for my japanese water stones. I followed up with the same sand paper routine. The results worked ok but I doubt that they are 'dead flat'.
Other observations: a calibrator indicates that the stones vary in thickness; I can not remove the deep scratches from the atoma on the Black stone (which was
reversed dished, unlike the the others); and I notice what looks like a hairline fracture. Regarding this fracture like line, it appeared from the dust of the sandpapering
but I can not feel it with my finger nail.
As for performance, I tried in vain to use them without the Norton's mineral oil. Just didn't cut. The oil application helped a great deal.
The perimeter area of the stones tend to feel more coarse in some areas in which case they don't help in cutting.
And, ditto for where there is iron ore/yellowing areas. On the washiba there is a divot, perhaps to be expected for a coarse stone.
Against a lot of good advice I wanted these stones because they are traditional, natural, and a good match for softer steel which are the knives
that I would use for practicing. I was cautioned that they would cut very slowly (insanely slow vs j.water stones), and to never allow the oil to
contaminate the j.water stones. In the latter case, I use a lot of hot water,soap, and scrubbing.
Anything about what I've written and pictured that I should contact the seller? He advertises "100percent satisfaction."
If I had purchased from another seller, like Dan's, would the stones be more consistent in sizing, flatness, and surface...or, is this
part of the turf with these natural stones?
At this point, I 've migrated to j. stones (chosera and shapton) with the intention of only using the coarser arkansas stones for sharpening
some garden tools. Had hopes of using them for bevel setting on softer carbon steel, but my experience with the j. stones is just too superior.
Another possibility is that 'maybe' I would play with using the Black stone as a stropping stone. Though, so far, the progression of leather strops that I made
with 14 to .5 mu diamond emulsion are working pretty well, not to mention the ceramic idahone which is so convenient.
I feel little obsessed and curmudgeon enough to hold the seller's feet to the fire IF,only IF, there are grounds to do so.
Then again, maybe I just retire the stones as a part of my journey into knife sharpening.
Curious to hear from others with more experience with these stones, and if the images communicate anything useful for feedback.
Thanks,Bill
http://www.naturalwhetstone.com/productssharpening2.htm
As a preface, there are other other sources but this one was far less expensive. Perhaps this is where I chose wrong.
Anyway, I was provided with two amply sized combo stones: Arkansas Black-Soft; and Hard-Washiba. (1x3x10)
The first batch sent to me separated due to a faulty adhesive and they were decidedly dished. The seller replaced them and paid for return shipping.
During the time that I had them I put a lot of work into flattening them by using mucho 65 grit sandpaper which was placed face up on a flat porcelain 12x12
tile. But, I threw up my hands with the black stone.
Images below are of the second batch. By the time that I received them I had abdomen surgery and a slow heal. I imagine that I have had this batch for 3 months.
Not real happy with them but then again I'm a rookie and have very little for comparison. These were all dished, as well. I used a newly acquired tool---atoma 140
flattening plate intended for my japanese water stones. I followed up with the same sand paper routine. The results worked ok but I doubt that they are 'dead flat'.
Other observations: a calibrator indicates that the stones vary in thickness; I can not remove the deep scratches from the atoma on the Black stone (which was
reversed dished, unlike the the others); and I notice what looks like a hairline fracture. Regarding this fracture like line, it appeared from the dust of the sandpapering
but I can not feel it with my finger nail.
As for performance, I tried in vain to use them without the Norton's mineral oil. Just didn't cut. The oil application helped a great deal.
The perimeter area of the stones tend to feel more coarse in some areas in which case they don't help in cutting.
And, ditto for where there is iron ore/yellowing areas. On the washiba there is a divot, perhaps to be expected for a coarse stone.
Against a lot of good advice I wanted these stones because they are traditional, natural, and a good match for softer steel which are the knives
that I would use for practicing. I was cautioned that they would cut very slowly (insanely slow vs j.water stones), and to never allow the oil to
contaminate the j.water stones. In the latter case, I use a lot of hot water,soap, and scrubbing.
Anything about what I've written and pictured that I should contact the seller? He advertises "100percent satisfaction."
If I had purchased from another seller, like Dan's, would the stones be more consistent in sizing, flatness, and surface...or, is this
part of the turf with these natural stones?
At this point, I 've migrated to j. stones (chosera and shapton) with the intention of only using the coarser arkansas stones for sharpening
some garden tools. Had hopes of using them for bevel setting on softer carbon steel, but my experience with the j. stones is just too superior.
Another possibility is that 'maybe' I would play with using the Black stone as a stropping stone. Though, so far, the progression of leather strops that I made
with 14 to .5 mu diamond emulsion are working pretty well, not to mention the ceramic idahone which is so convenient.
I feel little obsessed and curmudgeon enough to hold the seller's feet to the fire IF,only IF, there are grounds to do so.
Then again, maybe I just retire the stones as a part of my journey into knife sharpening.
Curious to hear from others with more experience with these stones, and if the images communicate anything useful for feedback.
Thanks,Bill
