Thread: Release agents on Waterstones?

Had a bit of a breakthrough (possibly) as to why I've been having so much bevel setting trouble - I think my Naniwa 1k has a fairly thick layer of release agent, or something similar.
It is flat, but I got frustrated and took it back to lapping to try and refresh the surface - and it's a totally different stone! The texture, appearance (not to say performance) have changed significantly!
I do feel like a right tit though, don't know how I didn't notice!
Has anyone else come across anything like this?
I vaguely recall someone mentioning something similar on a Norton before, but I may have imagined that.

Anyway - don't lap your stones when your frustrated, go and have a coffee instead... It's not flat any more

Yes there are quite a few references to the initial lapping of the Naniwa SS it has been quite some time since I bought mine but IIRC it took 3 times before they became the polishers they are now...

I had kinda noticed this with my new set of Naniwas. Until I had honed about a half-dozen razors, my bevel setter wasn't working too well. This is good to know, Glen. Thanks!

It's my opinion that artificial stones need lapping prior to use. When the hone slurry is injected into the mold and baked, the outside layer has different characteristics than the inside of the stone. You can easily see this by spritzing some water on a new stone and watch it bead up (Nortons and Shaptons both exhibit this characteristic). If you lap the new stone and remove a few thousandths of surface and then spritz water on it, the water will spread out. The lapping will also flatten the stone. I've never had an artificial stone come flat from the factory. When you remove the glaze you'll have a much more satisfying honing experience.