Thread: Sealing synthetics

Has anyone ever sealed a synthetic stone with laquer, nail polish etc. My naniwa 5-10k pros are prone to crazing and I am consindering sealing all but one side... that would probably void my year warranty but if it stops the crazing I would be happy with it.

Will it damage the stone ?

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Has anyone ever sealed a synthetic stone with lacquer, nail polish etc. My naniwa 5-10k pros are prone to crazing and I am consindering sealing all but one side... that would probably void my year warranty but if it stops the crazing I would be happy with it.

Will it damage the stone ?

It probably won't damage the stone if you apply some kind of lacquer, as long as it doesn't penetrate too deeply in the stone (plus you can lap it and say that you didn't do such a thing, although kind of unfair for the seller), but I suspect the issue is what you do before or after you hone. If you leave the stones in the water for too long, or if you dry them too quickly, if you leave them in direct sunlight, the water you're using might contain ions that interact with the bonding material, the temperature is too hot or too cold, humidity etc etc. It's a pain and when it starts it's hard to stop it. Sealing the stone means the water might get trapped in there and there is a chance your problem might get worse, so, I don't know what can help with your case.
Naniwa chosera/pros are great stones but they do have that problem with the hair thin cracks that sometimes appear. And are a bit on the expensive side as well.

Since my 5 & 10 have the crazing I've used them and they work the same as before. If it gets to the point where the crazing becomes worse, and it affects the honing, I will take Glen's advice and lap the label side and use it for as long as it works.

As far as lacquer, I might think about giving that a shot on the stones 1k, 3k, 8k that haven't suffered the crazing. But not on my 5 & 10. Once the cow is out of the barn no sense shutting the door.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Since my 5 & 10 have the crazing I've used them and they work the same as before. If it gets to the point where the crazing becomes worse, and it affects the honing, I will take Glen's advice and lap the label side and use it for as long as it works.

As far as lacquer, I might think about giving that a shot on the stones 1k, 3k, 8k that haven't suffered the crazing. But not on my 5 & 10. Once the cow is out of the barn no sense shutting the door.

I wonder of it would help on stones that are "healthy". If it does, or at least if you try it and your stones end up not developing it anyway, please do let us know.

Aren't these meant to be soaked for just a few minutes before use, and swell a touch during the process? I'd be concerned that at best the sealer would crack when the stone swells, and at worst might seal in moisture like Vasilis hinted at and lead to uneven expansion that might make the issue worse.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Aren't these meant to be soaked for just a few minutes before use, and swell a touch during the process? I'd be concerned that at best the sealer would crack when the stone swells, and at worst might seal in moisture like Vasilis hinted at and lead to uneven expansion that might make the issue worse.

Yes, that's right, they are meant to be soaked briefly. Most guys found them to be good with splash and go. I still give them a brief soak. I let my first hone soak in a rubbermaid container in the sink. After a few minutes I begin honing on that one. As soon as I take it out of the container I throw the 2nd one in to soak while I use the first one. I go through the progression like that with each hone. I just splash and go on the 20k suehiro.

IIRC Lynn, Glen, maybe Birnando do splash and go with them and so far so good for them. I just figure that it has been working for me so I keep doing what I began with.

You've got a darn good point there though, I don't know what effect lacquer would have on the soaking, or splash and go, but I'd be leery of trying it.

@JimmyHAD -- Pretty certain Glen follows your same procedure in short-soaking the Naniwas one stone ahead; he mentions the habit in his Naniwa honing videos up on YouTube. He says something akin to it stabilizing the hone in his opinion.

Originally Posted by Speedster

@JimmyHAD -- Pretty certain Glen follows your same procedure in short-soaking the Naniwas one stone ahead; he mentions the habit in his Naniwa honing videos up on YouTube. He says something akin to it stabilizing the hone in his opinion.

Ahh, okay, maybe I wasn't remembering correctly, or it may have been the superstones I was thinking of. I believe he was using them before he went to the Choseras.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Aren't these meant to be soaked for just a few minutes before use, and swell a touch during the process? I'd be concerned that at best the sealer would crack when the stone swells, and at worst might seal in moisture like Vasilis hinted at and lead to uneven expansion that might make the issue worse.

I would say no! They shouldn't be soaked. I never soak mine as the vendor STRONGLY advised not to. $250+ for a synthetic best believe I will be listening to the guy who's job is selling these.

I forget where I read, heard or saw this quote but I liked it. "Buy from someone who's as passionate as your are but knows more." - amen.

Yes, Jimmy, it was specifically with the Super Stones, and I believe you are correct that he prefers the Choseras these days. Told me they cut really fast, which is ideal for someone who hones lots of razors.