I've got one of the 8x2 spyderco ultra fine hones that I'd like to chop down to like 5x2. What's the best way to cut one of these? Has anyone done it?
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I've got one of the 8x2 spyderco ultra fine hones that I'd like to chop down to like 5x2. What's the best way to cut one of these? Has anyone done it?
I've never heard of anyone trying to cut one, but a diamond tile saw with a slow feed would be my approach.
Wanting to cut hones down to 5" x 2", a man after my own heart. Looking forward to hearing what works. Perhaps a hacksaw used with a carbide blade?
I definitely like something that's easier to hold in the hand...and the fact that I'm looking to use one of these as a quick touch up hone during the day at work! Too bad companies don't still make a real barber's hone though...
That would certainly be worth a try. Not a very expensive experiment and very unlikely to cause anything bad to happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brontosaurus
I have cut a number of stones with an ordinary hack saw. It will dull the blade, so I used one that was already dull.
I cut stones dry. If you take your time you can get a straight edge. I have also had them cut on a tile saw, when I have seen workers set up wet saws in drive ways of homes they were working on locally. I have had large pieces of marble also cut that way for the cost of a 6 pack.
I've cut stones with regular pre dulled hacksaw blades too with good success. That Spyderco ceramic is pretty hard though. Another idea is to add some SiC grit to the cut as you're using the dull hacksaw. A similar technique is used in marble quarries using a cable as a bandsaw blade and adding SiC grit, though marble is very soft.Quote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440
Thanks for all of the tips everyone, it sounds like I've already got what I need around the house to take care of this without having to buy anything specific for it. Here's to hoping it works out good as a fast touch up stone when needed!
Let us know what you end up using.
I've used a hacksaw with traditional synth stones, using the standard tooth blades for metal cutting. A more controllable result is obtained that way than with the carbide blade I mentioned above, the latter involving a cable or filament coated with silicon carbide.
But as the stone in question is a hard ceramic Spyderco, I've no idea how the standard tooth blades will work on it. Even with the softer traditional stones, frequently changing blades once they've worn out is par for the course. I've also cut stones with diamond-bladed, tile-cutting wet-saws, but I would be hesitant to try this with a brittle ceramic stone, hence my initial hacksaw recommendation. That said, most tiles are ceramic-based, aren't they?
If using a hacksaw, I would suggest marking out the dimensions to be cut on both sides of the hone, as well as the sides, and begin on one face, reaching halfway, and then flipping the stone to finish things from the other side, meeting in the middle. If the broad silicon-carbide filament blade does the trick in the end, it might be worthwhile to start out with the standard metal cutting blades just outside of the desired cut, in order to create a kind of preliminary gullet for the larger carbide blade to settle into as it tends to wander from the start otherwise.
So I had the chance to play around with it for a bit yesterday and the hacksaw idea produced no results at all after trying for about 10 minutes. I tried a couple different blades as well. It didn't even leave an indent where I was sawing.
I then went to a carbide blade on the saw but I had trouble keeping it in one spot due to the width of the carbide blade. I set up a square along it and tried using that as a guide, but the only result I got was that it was starting to eat up my square and did nothing to the Spyderco!
Lastly, I had a diamond wheel for a dremel tool and aside from producing sparks and wearing down the wheel, the Spyderco was left unfazed...I think I might have to give up on this idea for a while. It seems like I clearly lost this battle before it even began!
Thanks for the report. Sounds like the Spyderco is as hard as I thought. IIRC it is sometimes described as close to a synthetic Safire. That's why my first suggestion was a wet diamond saw.
From what I can see a diamond blade is the best or only option.
What is the big deal between 5 and 8 inch in a shop atmosphere?
Turn the customer to your mirror/counter and make a production of pulling out your special stone.
Other than that you could probably more easily make your pocket deeper.:D
Thanks for the follow-up and sorry that the hacksaw didn't work. It's worked well for me with traditional synths, but it sounds like the Spyderco is much, much harder. What about a glass cutter?Quote:
Originally Posted by Wxman2000
Mostly just preference on the size. Too big of a stone can get cumbersome sometimes. I find 5-6" is the best fit for me personally as it gives me a good size to work with that fits in my hand well without being too heavy off the end...basically just reduces the risk of droppage for me anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
I didn't want to rain on your parade earlier but you're trying to cut the only stone I know of that can break in a diamond plate in less than a minute & then ruin that plate shortly after :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Wxman2000
Finally got it cut...it took a wet tile saw to do the trick. It still wasn't easy or quick even with that, but it came out pretty decent when it was all said and done.