Hello all. I would like to relate my disappointment with some items I just received from Congress Tools, and I'd like to see if any of you have had the same experience as I have.
I ordered 3 sets of 6" x 1/2" triangle stones from Congress. 2 stones are the Moldmaster 320 grit, 2 are the Moldmaster 600 grit, and 2 are the Superfine 1000 grit. I purchased these to use with my Spyderco Sharpmaker because I wanted to have a wider range of abrasion for my setup. Even though they are not quite as long as the stones included with the Sharpmaker, I figured that they would still be able to do the job. The 320 and 600 grit stones are advertised as Silicon Carbide Stones. The 1000 grit is advertised as Aluminum Oxide and is said to be soft bonded with rapid breakdown. I had researched these stones on the forums here and generally found good reviews. One member stated that these 1/2" tri stones fit a little loose in the Sharpmaker and that a shim would take care of the wiggle. I even called Congress to verify that they would fit and was told that they would.
Problem number 1. Both of the 320 grit stones and only one of the Superfine stones fit with a little wiggle. The other 3 stones, both the 600 grit and one of the superfine do NOT fit.
Problem number 2 is even worse. These stones flake off abrasive like crazy! I know the Superfine is advertised as fast wearing but it seems like sharpening with a piece of chalk. After sharpening only one knife the superfine stone left a pile of white abrasive and the stone has chips in it. The 320 SIC stones shed less abrasive, but I can't see them lasting too long either.
Did I expect too much of these stones? Does anyone out there have experience with these stones and maybe could provide some advice/insight?
Thanks!
I ordered 3 sets of 6" x 1/2" triangle stones from Congress. 2 stones are the Moldmaster 320 grit, 2 are the Moldmaster 600 grit, and 2 are the Superfine 1000 grit. I purchased these to use with my Spyderco Sharpmaker because I wanted to have a wider range of abrasion for my setup. Even though they are not quite as long as the stones included with the Sharpmaker, I figured that they would still be able to do the job. The 320 and 600 grit stones are advertised as Silicon Carbide Stones. The 1000 grit is advertised as Aluminum Oxide and is said to be soft bonded with rapid breakdown. I had researched these stones on the forums here and generally found good reviews. One member stated that these 1/2" tri stones fit a little loose in the Sharpmaker and that a shim would take care of the wiggle. I even called Congress to verify that they would fit and was told that they would.
Problem number 1. Both of the 320 grit stones and only one of the Superfine stones fit with a little wiggle. The other 3 stones, both the 600 grit and one of the superfine do NOT fit.
Problem number 2 is even worse. These stones flake off abrasive like crazy! I know the Superfine is advertised as fast wearing but it seems like sharpening with a piece of chalk. After sharpening only one knife the superfine stone left a pile of white abrasive and the stone has chips in it. The 320 SIC stones shed less abrasive, but I can't see them lasting too long either.
Did I expect too much of these stones? Does anyone out there have experience with these stones and maybe could provide some advice/insight?
Thanks!