Thread: Toxic: what is it? What does it mean?

Originally Posted by Lemur

Doesn't sound "Toxic" at all to me, looks more like you over honed and the false edge came loose an messed your edge up, if it's truly toxic you can't just hone a little and get away with it.

Yes , I thought toxic referred to sand or other inclusions that damage the steel from first pass. If you can get a finished edge from bevel set it is simply a very fast stone. They are fun to use but you can't go past that sweet spot without consequences.

Yes you are correct. Over honing and destroying the edge can be useful when determining a natural stones (and the steels) performance characteristics.

Thank you for the clarification OZ. Can a toxic Japanese natural stone shed layers, stabilize and become less toxic or useable? Can a natural stone shed layers and revert to become more toxic or un-usable?
Mike

Originally Posted by MODINE

Yes you are correct. Over honing and destroying the edge can be useful when determining a natural stones (and the steels) performance characteristics.

Thank you for the clarification OZ. Can a toxic Japanese natural stone shed layers, stabilize and become less toxic or useable? Can a natural stone shed layers and revert to become more toxic or un-usable?
Mike

S'ok Mike.
When you're talking natural anything is possible but if there are obvious 'toxic' inclusions in the first place they may possibly come & go with lapping tho the amount of lapping can be variable. I've heard of people digging out a line sand or pyrites to make the stone usable or if the stone is large enough avoiding the are. Pic below shows an obvious line of iron oxide Approx 20x mag. There are stones with lines & colouration that are harmless however, so you can't generalise.
If the stone is a quality stone it is less likely to reveal inclusions over time. Vague enough ?

Well anyway, my experimentation with these beautiful stones are over, Sham invited me over for dinner last nite and unbeknownst to me, Mike was hiding behind the door, he got me down and made me cry uncle until I gave them back. But all is well that ends well, We had a great dinner with good company. Myself, Sham, Mike/Modine and the ever lovable Obie!

I forgive you Mike, but keep an eye out!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I've heard of people digging out a line sand or pyrites to make the stone usable or if the stone is large enough avoiding the are.

indeed, that is common practice in the world of Japanese swords. It still depends on the size/orientation as you'd want the item being worked to glide over the groove on an angle, not hit it squarely & catch or bounce.