Swaty hone

[matt]

I just got a swaty hone off of ebay and it looks like I made a good buy. There is some chips at the corner of the hone some minor discoloration in parts but that is about it. I am not sure exactly how to proceed from here though. I do not know the coarseness or grit of either side and have never used a stone before. Is there anything I need to know before I hone on this? I noticed a chip on the side with no text. It is on the left edge of the stone halfway down on the long side. What kind of problems may this present and are there any fixes?

[randydance062449]

The minor discoloration is probably dirt so clean it off. Oven cleaner works really well. Use sandpaper and sand out any chips and gently round the edges. Put a pencil grid on the hone and lap it with 600-1000 grit sandpaper to see if it needs some serious lapping.

Is this a 2 line or 3 line hone?


Just my two cents,

[matt]

The minor discoloration is probably dirt so clean it off. Oven cleaner works really well. Use sandpaper and sand out any chips and gently round the edges. Put a pencil grid on the hone and lap it with 600-1000 grit sandpaper to see if it needs some serious lapping.

Is this a 2 line or 3 line hone?

it is a 3 line.
I am not sure this would be dirt. It looks silvery like a stain. I will post some pics of the hone just for the hell of it. You can probably see the chips in the corners, but the couple on the sides of the stone are very small I doubt you can make them out.









I have never lapped a stone, so I need the wet dry sandpaper and then what??? I am not sure how long it will take with sandpaper to sand out these chips but the rest of the stone is nice and smooth already. Should I lap it anyways? There are some pretty hefty chips on the corner of this thing. The seller said If I see the hone is not to my standard I can send it back. Should I do this and avoid the hassle, or try to fix this stuff? Would a flattening stone help at all?

[matt]

btt

[randydance062449]

That stone needs to be lapped on wet/dry sandpaper until it is a uniform color and texture. Use 120-220 grit sandpaper for the bulk of the work.Just soak the sandpaper in water then lay it down on a hard, flat surface. It will create its own suction.
This may take some time and several sheets of sandpaper.
After you have a uniform color and texture then switch to 600 grit then finish with 1000 grit.

Any chips on the edges have to be sanded down and the edges must also lose the sharpness.

[matt]

Okay, SO will a surface like my kitchen counter work well? I hear people talk about using a sheet of glass. Also, the edges I am sure I can sand down, but those chips, I doubt If they will be perfect. I caught a sampler of wet dry sandpaper on ebay for 20 bucks that Contains 3 sheets each of 120, 220, 320, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 grit.

So my plan of attack will be to start with 120 for most of the work, 220 after I am seeing results, 600 to finish it off and 1000 for a polish. Sound right??

[randydance062449]

Sounds like reasonable plan!

The kitchen countertop should be just fine.

[Sunsi]

I use the ceramic hob in our kitchen - when the girlfriend is out. If you have one you can be sure its very flat, and its easier to clean then the work surfaces.

Cheers


Si

[matt]

Ceramic Hob???

[Sunsi]

Lost in translation somewhat I think...

Hob is the thing where you put your pots and pans to get the heat. Would stove be right in Americish? Ceramic hobs are flat pieces of some glass/ceramic type of thing with an electrical source of heat underneath. Very efficient from what I understand. Most people here in Germany have them more for the fact that they are totally flat and therefore a singe to clean.

Si