Which sharpening/grinding stone is which, and why
There are so many different types of sharpening stones out there, its tough to figure out which one a person should buy or use. There are oilstones (which oil to use?), waterstones, silicone carbide, carborundum, diamond, arkansas….. First of all, how do you identify one from another, especially if you don’t have the box to identify it. Some are obvious, some not so much. Which ones are lubricated, and how, ie what type oil do you use on an oilstone? Which stones are used dry. Do the rules, on any of these materials change in a grinding wheel. How do I figure out the grading systems between them. What are the pros and cons of each. I’ve got about 20 different stones hanging around my shop. Mostly (I think) carborundum and oilstones, but I also have a few colored stones. Before I go messing them up, I would like to know I’m using them correctly. Thanks
Replies
Most, but not all oilstones are gray to black. The exceptions being reddish India stones and white Arkansas stones. Just about any oil can be used, but most folks use relatively fine machine oil. If they've been well used ("seasoned"), a drop of water will bead up on the surface, and can then be wiped off with a paper towel.
Traditional Japanese water stones are reddish to goldish in color. A drop of water will usually absorb into the surface.
Oilstones are typically graded coarse, medium, fine, while traditional Japanese water stones have numerical grades in the hundreds to thousands.
If you search on "sharpening" you'll find numerous threads where the various points of view on sharpening are "discussed".
Thanks, this gets me started. Where do the carborundum stones come into play. I know I have a few of those, and have always wondered if they are usefull for anything, other than rough sharpening.
Most of the carborundum stones I've seen have been coarse to medium grit. If your stones are similar, you'd probably limit them to initial sharpening of the primary bevel, followed by progressively finer grits, especially for any secondary bevel.
Once you dig into previous sharpening discussions, you'll find lots of helpful info, along with strongly-held opinions. I'm certainly NOT an expert on the subject.
Oil stones work great for my chisels - grind first with a norton white wheel - med flat oil stone to fine flat oil stone - followed by buffing wheel with green compound.
Two oil stones are all I ever use followed by the buffing.
When I can shave the hair on the back of my hand - it's sharp enough
SA
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