Thread: Honing? Try the sidewalk, it works!

After seeing a few threads about flattening stones, I thought I would share a solution that worked for me on a JNAT. The stone I recieved seemed to be a decent stone but it was quite far from being flat. I worked it with every grit I had down to a 250 grit Norton. Still the shoulders were not flat and there were hollows. I finally, after some consternation took the stone in the front yard and used the concrete sidewalk to flatten it. I ran the garden hose out to the walk and kept it wet and after a short time the stone was reasonably flat albeit many deep scratches. I then went after it with the 250 grit, 1K grit and finally got it smooth and flat. Subsequently, a 4k, 8K Shapton smoothed it out nicely. All that said, the original condition didn't leave many options. I hope you don't find a stone that needs a sidewalk, but it can be an option.

I can imagine the gouges that would have to be fixed after this. But at least you got it flat.

I’ve seen pictures of some pretty dishes out hones. I have always imagined that they would be very soft. I guess if the concrete was smooth-ish for concrete, and crouching or bending over it could give you a lot of ability to really push down as well.

My everday cuttting board in the kitchen was made by my Uncle. To get it flat he went out to the concrete bridge by his shop stood on it and grabbed his freinds car bumper to be pulled accross.

Any estimate as to the grit of the sidewalk?

Originally Posted by Bill31521

Any estimate as to the grit of the sidewalk?

...

I'm sure that actually works pretty well, assuming of course you have a nice flat slab to work with.

I love this thread, plain 'ole just gettin' her' done, right here. Love it, save your diamond plates and sandpaper, wear out the city sidewalk instead.

I can vouch for this working. I did this on a Jnat also. 40 grit SiC powder is a good bridge to further flattening.

PS. That thread title was a bit scary

Originally Posted by onimaru55

PS. That thread title was a bit scary

I thought that same thing.

I was thinking, here we go with the brick again.