Grit Sizes of Very Old Ceramic Stones...

W

Working Edge

Joined
Dec 14, 2020
Messages
74
Hello,

I'm hoping someone can advise me regarding the grit sizes of my two old Spyderco(?) ceramic stones, which I purchased from Garrett Wade, circa 1985.
The two stones measure 6×2×1/2; the pink stone puts a near-mirror finish on steel, and the white stone makes a true mirror polish.
Anyone have/use/remember these old ceramics?
Any idea of their grit sizes?
Thanks in advance,
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

Welcome to our forum.

Back then, we called them fine and medium. WE still call them fine and medium. Grits are usually measured by the grain size of the abrasive, but ceramic stones use micron sized abrasives and the "grit" is determined by the mix and firing method.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Mark,

Welcome to our forum.

Back then, we called them fine and medium. WE still call them fine and medium. Grits are usually measured by the grain size of the abrasive, but ceramic stones use micron sized abrasives and the "grit" is determined by the mix and firing method.

sal
Click to expand...
Thanks for the quick reply, Sal, much appreciated.
I'm still amazed at how these old ceramic stones can refine an edge in no-time flat, but I wish these two stones were larger so as to have more real estate.
They are lovely, nonetheless....
Thanks again,
Mark
 
Working Edge said:
Thanks for the quick reply, Sal, much appreciated.
I'm still amazed at how these old ceramic stones can refine an edge in no-time flat, but I wish these two stones were larger so as to have more real estate.
They are lovely, nonetheless....
Thanks again,
Mark
Click to expand...
They make a white 3x8.
 
Doesn't finishing method also play a part?

I have a fine, and an ultra-fine Spyderco stones, and my understanding is that the difference is that the ultrafine has been ground flat with a fine abrasive, while the fine ceramic is as-fired, complete with a slightly wobbly surface. I have worked other fine ceramics on diamond plates and altered their cutting characteristics, making them bite more or less than their as-purchased condition.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Mark,

Welcome to our forum.

Back then, we called them fine and medium. WE still call them fine and medium. Grits are usually measured by the grain size of the abrasive, but ceramic stones use micron sized abrasives and the "grit" is determined by the mix and firing method.

sal
Click to expand...
Sal,
I guess what I'm wanting to know is where these two old ceramics might fit into my sharpening routine...
Would they be most appropriate after the hard Arkansas or hard black Arkansas, or would they take the place of the Arks before stropping?
Thanks again,
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

I think they would take the place of your hard Arks. I would suggest alternating so you can compare? They ceramic might be a tad more aggressive than your hard Arks.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Mark,

I think they would take the place of your hard Arks. I would suggest alternating so you can compare? They ceramic might be a tad more aggressive than your hard Arks.

sal
Click to expand...
Thanks again, Sal, I appreciate your reply.
I will give that a shot and see where it takes me.
Mark
 
Sal,
Here is how I include these two old Spyderco Ceramic stones into my sharpening workflow:
I find the two stones work best for creating a microbevel, after finishing my bevels with hard Ark then black hard Ark.
The ceramics really are too small for me to effectively use flat on the bench; rather, while holding the stone in one hand and the blade in t'other, I stroke the blade across the medium stone about 3° or so more obtuse than my finished bevel, five feather-light strokes per side.
Same 10 strokes with the fine stone, and I now have an edge which is undeniably sharper than the shaving sharp obtained with the two hard Arks.
Following with a light stropping, my edge is now hair-popping sharp, well beyond shaving sharp.
If by chance I get a bit too heavy-handed with the strop, I'll go back to the two ceramics to undue the rounding over from the strop, then more carefully strop the edge.
The cutting power of these two decades-old ceramic stones really is amazing; I just wish these two were much larger...!!
Thanks again, Sal,
Mark
 
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