I got my Cretan from Vasilis, a member here. Mine came lapped and ready to go. PM him and ask how he laps them. He lives in Greece.
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I got my Cretan from Vasilis, a member here. Mine came lapped and ready to go. PM him and ask how he laps them. He lives in Greece.
Just ordered some 60 and 120 grit SiC fromt he link Srdjan provided, I will update with the results.
Wish me luck!
Yes, you'll be fine with those ;)
It’s not that simple. Some of those stones replace everything from 2K to the end. Not all, but then again not all are/should be very expensive. There are many things to consider, not just function when it comes to Japanese naturals. Many threads and explanations have been given, in the last 20 years especially. Books have been written, an entire culture and economy relied heavily upon them once. They are fascinating stones with unique properties. You need to look at the big picture, razor community is just a fragment.
"You need to look at the big picture, razor community is just a fragment."
Yes, it has been said by folks who know, have spoken directly to miners, that, as stones were brought out of the mines, they were tested and graded for size and quality, aggressiveness. Small and very fine stones were tossed into the tailing pile and large aggressive stones were packed onto wooden backpack pallets to be carried down the mountain.
Then as now, razor honing market is/was very small compared to the tool and knife market that makes up the majority and where stones are constantly being replaces as they wear out, razor stone last lifetimes. Small fine stones just were not worth carrying down the mountain, by hand.
It is those tailings that are being excavated now to produce many of the “razor quality” stones that are sold today.
If you are lapping a hard stone on grit or wet and dry, mark the stone with a sharpie, pencil will wash off with slurry or powder and give a false reading. You should be able to flatten a hard stone, like a novaculite in 20-30 minutes, once flat polishing goes quickly.