Thread: Chinese 12k Hone

I have not heard of a DMT 325 grit being ruined by a Chinese 12K before and from what I've experienced it works with anything I have...I mean the stone is hard and takes a while but it can be done from what I hear.

I've been using a DMT C or 325 for years on Chinese 12k's, making slurries, etc...
The stone shows wear, but it still works...

Finally got it lapped today got it nice an smooth and flat going to give it a go over the weekend see how it goes.

Originally Posted by Disburden

I have not heard of a DMT 325 grit being ruined by a Chinese 12K before and from what I've experienced it works with anything I have...I mean the stone is hard and takes a while but it can be done from what I hear.

I toasted one. I was new to honing. I always thought I ruined it on the c12k, but I may be mistaken there. I tried to flatten the lovely bride's translucent arkie. Sigh. Though the replacement isn't impressive either - immediately got the large oval gray spot in the center that won't go away. It never faced a rock except under running water.

Make something foolproof and they just make a better fool...

Originally Posted by MaritimeFanatic

I lapped mine with a progression of wet/dry sand paper. Started with 220 then to 400, then 600. Some guys like to go higher, but I found that since the chinese hone is so dang hard it will wear down the sandpaper. The 600 grit smooths out and leaves a nice surface. YMMV of course, but it 6 dollars sure beats the price of a DMT!

Good luck, I love my chinese natural. Leaves a great edge.

+1- I used the same approach successfully, but the lapping did take a good while for the 3x8" stone.

I got one of the Chinese 15k stones from Ebay, I know its most likely really a 12k, but as I dont have a 12K I cant compare. The stone is cut across the sedimentary layers not with them like a Coticule. Is this normal for the Chinese stones? It seems to polish a razor fine, but you can feel the razor crossing over into the different layers as I do my X pattern.

Originally Posted by Loric

I got one of the Chinese 15k stones from Ebay, I know its most likely really a 12k, but as I dont have a 12K I cant compare. The stone is cut across the sedimentary layers not with them like a Coticule. Is this normal for the Chinese stones? It seems to polish a razor fine, but you can feel the razor crossing over into the different layers as I do my X pattern.

At the risk of being a broken record, there is no such thing as a Chinese 12k nor 15k. As a natural stone, there is no appropriate grit rating associated with it. You've never heard of a 10k coticule or an 18k Escher. The reason for that is the same. A natural rock has no grit rating and it is inappropriate and deceptive for a vendor to attribute one to it.

I like the tune of that broken record Ron

I have taken up the name PHIG for the Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit. I rather like that one at the moment...

[QUOTE I have taken up the name PHIG for the Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit. I rather like that one at the moment...[/QUOTE]

I like it! I've referring to them as "chinese natural" Oddly enough, hones are not what shows up on a google search when you enter that in............ whoops.

Originally Posted by Utopian

At the risk of being a broken record, there is no such thing as a Chinese 12k nor 15k. As a natural stone, there is no appropriate grit rating associated with it. You've never heard of a 10k coticule or an 18k Escher. The reason for that is the same. A natural rock has no grit rating and it is inappropriate and deceptive for a vendor to attribute one to it.

Although I appreciate your insight, my question was to weather the orientation of the sedentary layers made a difference. I had also pointed out (poorly) that they were most likely the same stone. I may not have had the experience to communicate that properly, but if you are going to critique my diction, you could at least attempt to give me an answer to my intended question.

As the common term for these stones is Chinese 12k, thats the only reason I used the term...not to mention it had been the title of the thread I was adding a tangent too.