Thread: Help Identifying my stone

Picked this up for $10. Seemed like it could be worth it for a diamond stone - although I don't know much about them.

The box is marked #1500 - which, after feeling the stone seems WAY to low. The stone almost feels like a finishing stone. Does that mean it's completely worn? Or is that just how diamond stones feel?

Otherwise, does anyone know what kind of Diamond stone this is?

Yup. Not a finishing stone. It is probably a 1500 grit Diamond Plate. The diamond used were 1500 grit, measured with a screen. A finishing stone for razors, would be 8,0000 to 30,000 grit. To lap soft naturals and synthetics you need a 300-400 grit-ish stone, or even lower for some stone restoration or serious lapping, I use a 140-grit plate.

Unknow who the maker was, there are a lot of diamond abrasive companies.

A 1000-1500 grit diamond plate is a good bevel setting or finish lapping stone for water stones or soft natural stone like slates and Jnats.

Use with lots of water, running water is best and do not use on hard natural stones, Novaculites. You will rip the diamonds out. An Ark can trash a diamond plate in a hurry.

You cannot determine a diamond plates grit or a natural or synthetic stone by feeling it, at least I can’t.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup. Not a finishing stone. It is probably a 1500 grit Diamond Plate. The diamond used were 1500 grit, measured with a screen. A finishing stone for razors, would be 8,0000 to 30,000 grit. To lap soft naturals and synthetics you need a 300-400 grit-ish stone, or even lower for some stone restoration or serious lapping, I use a 140-grit plate.

Unknow who the maker was, there are a lot of diamond abrasive companies.

A 1000-1500 grit diamond plate is a good bevel setting or finish lapping stone for water stones or soft natural stone like slates and Jnats.

Use with lots of water, running water is best and do not use on hard natural stones, Novaculites. You will rip the diamonds out. An Ark can trash a diamond plate in a hurry.

You cannot determine a diamond plates grit or a natural or synthetic stone by feeling it, at least I can’t.

Thanks for the feedback! How can you tell if the stone is worn out of commission?

I think I have the 220/1000 and 4k/8k Norton Combo stones. I've been getting into wood working, and not sure if I should even try and integrate the diamond stone. Thoughts?

It is not a stone, it is a Diamond Plate. The diamonds are attached to the plate. If you clog the diamonds with grit and use pressure, like when lapping a hard stone, you will rip out the diamonds.

You will see bald spots where the diamonds have been ripped out. Yours looks like it was lightly or never used. A lot of times they will turn brown and you may think the diamonds have been ripped out, but a soaking and cleaning with Barkeepers Friend and scrubbing with a stiff brush will remove the clogged swarf, I clean my diamond plates regularly. Once clean they cut like new.

If you use them under running water, for lapping they are less likely to clog.

Diamond plates are great for flattening and refreshing soft stones, making repairs on razors, and sharpening tools, chisels, plane blades and knives, but not for honing razors. They are too aggressive for razors and can cause more problems than they solve.

For tools removing chips, you need something in the 300-400 range, it is also what you need for lapping soft stones.

A well cared for diamond plate will last years, some of mine that see regular use are over 10 years old. Do not use on Novaculites, you can ruin a diamond plate in minutes.

If you are going to use the same stones that you use to hone razors mark one side for razors and the other side for tool and knife use. Tools will tear up a stone face.

Diamonds on the other hand work very well for tools, I use a 140, 400 and Arkansas Washita progression and strop on metal polish on a leather paddle strop.

Looks like one of those diamond hones mostly sold on the Asian and European markets. At 1500, it could be used as a bevel-setter, which is to say to put a primary edge on the razor. In this case, I would suggest a very light touch, as diamond hones are aggressive and fast-acting, and an up-and-down stroke rather than an X-pass so as to avoid micro-chipping.