Thread: Sharpening Supplies Water Stones

I've never invested in a dedicated synth progression. Normally, I trail off in the 3k-5k range, leaving the rest to naturals. Here, I'm thinking the intended progression might be 1k > 6k or 1k > 3k > 8k, not that I need to try another 1k > 6k combo. Silicon carbide lapping stones are generally poo-pooed, but even this double-sided (120x/320x) "double-time" lapping stone seems interesting. Only thing is, what to use to lap the lapping stone when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

Here, I'm thinking the intended progression might be 1k > 6k or 1k > 3k > 8k, not that I need to try another 1k > 6k combo

Looks like they're encouraging the jump from 1k to 6k based on their bundle offering
https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/3...t-P1572C4.aspx
Obviously this setup is intended more for kitchen knives than razors. 1-6k is a little to much of a jump for my taste to be honest.

Originally Posted by Butzy

Looks like they're encouraging the jump from 1k to 6k based on their bundle offering
https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/3...t-P1572C4.aspx
Obviously this setup is intended more for kitchen knives than razors. 1-6k is a little to much of a jump for my taste to be honest.

I've gotten by pretty well with a Suehiro 1k/6k combo followed by a pasted strop; but yeah, I agree that the intention is for knives and woodworking tools--it's stated as such in the description. But then, what synth honing progression in the 1k to 8k range has been manufactured with straight-razors in mind, rather than knives and woodworking tools?

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

But then, what synth honing progression in the 1k to 8k range has been manufactured with straight-razors in mind, rather than knives and woodworking tools?

Good point.

Hey all, I just got an email back from Dan at Sharpening Supplies. here's what he had to add to the general description of the stones:

"The Sharpening Supplies Water Stones are not made by Norton. We do as a store sell the Norton stones, but these stones were developed independently. In fact I find them to be a favorable comparison to the Nortons. They have a harder, more immediate and less muddy feel, along with superior wear resistance in direct comparison.

I compare the feel of the abrasive and wear when using the stones to be similar to the Naniwa Professional (New Chosera) line. I like using them with a wet surface and though they form a slurry, it is not a really thick one.
The best way I can describe using them is that you can feel them working when you glide over the stone, as opposed to the muddy feel of a Norton or the slow and slick feel of a Naniwa Sharpening (New Super) Stone."

I'll probably pick up at least the 8k in the future and write a review on here for anyone that cares to know how it feels on a straight. Would also send it around to interested members if anyone was interested in that.

You, Butzy, must have been the guy who sent Dan at Sharpening Supplies an e-mail, because I spoke with him on the phone this morning, and he asked me, "Are you the guy who sent me the e-mail?" What he told me on the phone sort of concurs with what you quoted above. He said that overall, the stones in question have a kind of sandy feeling, and did not have a soft, muddy feeling. I asked him what line of stones they were selling came closest to the feel and wear of these stones and he said the Naniwa Pro (Chosera) stones, followed by maybe the Shaptons (I'll suppose the white stones as the multi-colored Shapton Pros are brittle in feel). He told me that he had shaved successfully off the 8k, provided that one strops first. I said I would be inclined towards 1k > 3k > 8k as to a full progression and he replied that that seemed good. We also had a chat about the Double-Time flattening stone, and he thought silicon carbide on a granite stone would do the trick when the lapping plate needed truing. Coarse side of the flattening stone analogous to Norton's, while the fine side yields a finish analogous to 320x w/d sandpaper. Both need soaking in water. Oil use with these vitrified stones is not a good idea.

That's too funny. you must have called him right after I sent the email. Well now i think we have all the information we need other than actually trying it!!

Almost six months later, still no one has used this line of stones?

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

....but even this double-sided (120x/320x) "double-time" lapping stone seems interesting. Only thing is, what to use to lap the lapping stone when the time comes.

I have actually run into this. I have become accustomed to using a crystolon stone to lap/refresh my Washita/Arkansas stones and I use loose grit SIC powder to lap the crystolon stone. I have only had to do this once in the past year but it seemed to bring it back to a high quality state in just a few minutes. I’m not sure what their “double time” stone is made of but the SIC may be an option.

Originally Posted by Steel

I have actually run into this. I have become accustomed to using a crystolon stone to lap/refresh my Washita/Arkansas stones and I use loose grit SIC powder to lap the crystolon stone. I have only had to do this once in the past year but it seemed to bring it back to a high quality state in just a few minutes. I’m not sure what their “double time” stone is made of but the SIC may be an option.

That's a good tip about the Crystolon stone used with SiC powder for Arks and maybe Indias. The "Double Time" stone consists of green silicon carbide, a little bit harder than black SiC according to their video clip.