Thread: questions *(hopefully not dumb ones)

ok..... today i spent a bit of time looking through the scrap pile at a local stone shop..... *(they specialize in countertops and have a amazing collection).....

all of which have been polished absolutely smooth in a polishing machine *(i will still lap them of course...)

just wanted opinions of the stone and whether or not they will serve the purpose i am looking for which is a ultimate polish on a blade.. *(i know the proof is in the pudding but i am looking for opinions........)

2 of the stones feel *(to me) like they would be in the 10k +++ grit....

white... harder than chinese algebra


closer up...



this is the other... black... mirror finished hard hard hard dense stone...



the others...







i have no idea..... they will be tested with a microscope on a old razor to see what they do to the edge......

Try them and see how they work.
One thing to keep in mind high polish does not always translate to high fineness.

I don't know about the granite, but the marble could work. I know that it was used around the Mediterranian to sharpen the weapons during classical times. Don't know what kind of finish it would leave though.

i am excited to find out.......i still have to lap them which will remove the polish that is on them.....

a couple of them are porcelain..... unglazed.... i will be spending a good bit of time with my 60x-100x microscope i bought at radioshak for $12....

bummer..... i worked with 3 of them last night...... and altho i noticed a polishing effect to the edge under 60x magnification there was no increase in sharpness.... actually 2 of the stones made the edge feel duller and the other *(the black one that i soooo hoped would work) really did nothing......

i guess it was as some of you guys were saying some dense stones would have a polishing effect but little/no cutting effect...........


one good thing i got out of this is now i have a 12''x12'' marble work bench.... nice and flat and heavy.......

There are unlimited types of rocks out there and all have varying hone potential however there is good reason a select few are prized for their abilities especially with razors. I guess if you want to sharpen a battle ax the choices expand greatly.

Originally Posted by paco664

one good thing i got out of this is now i have a 12''x12'' marble work bench.... nice and flat and heavy.......

I had a feeling that is all they would be good for. Secondly, if you use the sandpaper method for lapping stones it will work good there as well...