Thread: South African Hones....

Are there no slurry stones of zulu grey? Since it is in the BBW hardness category, they should work fine.

I've been avoiding this thread in order to avoid a bad case of 'want' - looks like I've been doing so for a good reason - I want one!

Originally Posted by Vasilis

Are there no slurry stones of zulu grey? Since it is in the BBW hardness category, they should work fine.

Diamond plate works best.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Diamond plate works best.

Some diamond plates, especially the new and the cheap ones, let loose diamond particles that do pretty big damage. I have experienced this. And, depending on their grit, they might abrade bigger particles of stone. Also the good ones like atoma cost a lot. If the speed is the only reason diamond plates work better, that is not a big problem.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

Some diamond plates, especially the new and the cheap ones, let loose diamond particles that do pretty big damage. I have experienced this. And, depending on their grit, they might abrade bigger particles of stone. Also the good ones like atoma cost a lot. If the speed is the only reason diamond plates work better, that is not a big problem.

I am aware, but I did not mean new plate , I use well used 1.2k DMT for slurry.
I wanted a slurry stone when I ordered my Zulu Gray, but was told #1 making slurry is really hard, #2 the edges are not as good with that kind of slurry. I'll let Mike elaborate more on that.

Guys, plenty of folks have asked me for slurry stones and I've simply said that for this hone I think a well worn, medium to fine grit diamond card is best as that is what I find to work very well. I tried a slurry stone made from some Zulu Grey off cuts and what I find is that is does more polishing/glazing of the surface than actually releasing slurry. I suppose I do not know if this is common with hard natural stones.. but for me in comparison with a diamond card it's simply not effective enough. Added to that, the diamond plate keeps the surface smooth and 'crisp' with no glazing at all - it just seems to make more sense to me.

- Mike

So prices just went up unless we are a previous owner of a diamond plate? DMT's and such go for about $100 and then the requirement for it to be 'well worn' adds another issue. How different are the results with/without slurry?

Originally Posted by brooksie967

So prices just went up unless we are a previous owner of a diamond plate? DMT's and such go for about $100 and then the requirement for it to be 'well worn' adds another issue. How different are the results with/without slurry?

A DMT credit card size is $15 and is all you need to make slurry!

Originally Posted by brooksie967

...and then the requirement for it to be 'well worn' adds another issue.

I have the same question as Brooksie: how worn is well worn? I know this is probably like asking how long a piece of string is, but thought I'd ask.

I was going to wait until my stone arrived before getting a small DMT for slurry. But what do you think? Should I get the DMT now and spend some time on the backside of my PHIG to wear it in?

Either way, can't wait for my stone to arrive!

And that is 100% my fault for being ignorant to the existence of such a product. Thanks, genuinely, for enlightening me!