Thread: Chinese Waterstone 12k

Originally Posted by TomP30

Interesting, I have arrived at the conclusion that it will serve best on already sharp edges.

These stones are so versatile you can use them many different ways and for different purposes. They are great for an already sharp edge and used as rodb does. That's a great place to start with them anyways. I still use mine along with Arkansas stones because it is so versatile and the edges it can produce are, in my opinion, amazing. Never mind the price point

The biggest issue with these stones is that there are basically two distinct types There are a few within those types but I am trying to keep it simple first..

The easiest way to determine which you have is to make a very light slurry and trying honing with it..

One type will give you a soft almost Talc like experience and create a sweet edge much akin to a Thuringen the other will be scratchy and feel terrible while honing..

If you have the softer type then use it like a Thuringen and be happy with the edge, it should be a good comfortable finisher with a bit of versatility also..

If you have the harder scratchy type then Lap it as high as possible. burnish it out, and use it like a Noviculite (Arkansas/ Charnley Forest) as a final burnishing style finisher.. I would highly suggest finding Smith's Honing solution if you have this type..

Again there are different variations within these two types but that is your first experiment to figure out what you actually have in your hands from there you can find out what is going to work or not work with your particular stone..

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The biggest issue with these stones is that there are basically two distinct types

Great post Glenn!
I've got both kinds and I almost always use the super hard burnishing one as I really like the edges it makes but now I'll have to break out the softer one for more experimenting again

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The biggest issue with these stones is that there are basically two distinct types There are a few within those types but I am trying to keep it simple first..

The easiest way to determine which you have is to make a very light slurry and trying honing with it..

One type will give you a soft almost Talc like experience and create a sweet edge much akin to a Thuringen the other will be scratchy and feel terrible while honing..

If you have the softer type then use it like a Thuringen and be happy with the edge, it should be a good comfortable finisher with a bit of versatility also..

If you have the harder scratchy type then Lap it as high as possible. burnish it out, and use it like a Noviculite (Arkansas/ Charnley Forest) as a final burnishing style finisher.. I would highly suggest finding Smith's Honing solution if you have this type..

Again there are different variations within these two types but that is your first experiment to figure out what you actually have in your hands from there you can find out what is going to work or not work with your particular stone..

I could not with any certainty suggest which type it may st this stage. I am currently lapping with wet dry sandpaper, would you recommend otherwise with this type of stone, or is it not that important provided it's done correctly?