Thread: Icebear 10k waterstone 25 x 75 x 210.`

A number of years ago, I bought an Icebear 10k hone. At the time it felt easier to use than some of the typically harder 10k hones, well I kept it, and pulled it out the other day,and used it after a 8k Nani Superstone, more or less to see what it was like. I believe, being King related, that it is clay based. Definitely softer than a 10k nani SS, and when using slurry with it gave an edge that under the loupe, looked tidy, and I shaved with it, (Not doing my usual finish with the gok 20k) I had a very comfortable smooth shave, different from the 'clinical' edge of the 20k (IMHO). Anyone else got anything to say about this stone? After the most recent use of it, it is one of those numerous kilo's of rocks that inhabit my garage, a collection that most likely will continue to grow. bob

To me, The King/Ice Bear hones seem to be a good bit finer than the Norton or some other hones of the same grit rating. If you have a clay based one you are among the fortunate! There are many grit rating standards so there is not a fair one to one equality,
A good chart here:
Conversion Chart Abrasives - Grit Sizes | FINE TOOLS
Enjoy
~Richard

Thanks Richard good to see that chart. The softer Icebear was good for me in 2012, as I'd had some trouble getting an improvement from the 8k Naniwa, to the 10k superstone, purely a technique problem on my part, but I was happy for quite a while finishing on the Icebear. It's easier to use I believe for new comers to honing, gives excellent feedback, when you dilute it down to clear water Ah La coticules. So if you are having a fight with your ceramic finisher, take a peek at the Bear.

Yes, I too have an old Ice Bear 10k and used it for many years until I bought a 12k Super Stone.

Mine was the White one or Pale yellow. It is a softer stone and produces a fine shaving edge.

I haven’t seen them for sale in a long time.

Yeah, mine is the pale yellow, mounted on an elaborately grained piece of timber, glad I dug it out, and I can see myself using it more these days. After giving the coticules a lot of attention over the last six months, 1st thing I noticed about the Icebear was how extremely fine the slurry particles on it were, I did notice the diff between it and the coti's. cheers Bob