Thread: Carborunum 108 & 109

I recently picked up a couple of these stones. Both are combination stones. The 108 is 8X2X1 and the 109 is 6X2X1. I am wondering if anybody has any experience with these stones, approx. grits, and whether either could be used to set a bevel on an Ebay special. I have read many of the other Carborundum threads, so I'm really asking about the 108 and 109 specifically. Also, is mineral oil light enough to use with an oil stone?

Hey guy!

I am sending you a PM with my phone and address. Come over some time this week and I will look at your hones. Your all of 15 minutes away from me. Bring your razors and your hones.

Sand,

Have you lapped your new stones on a concrete block yet? I'm not sure I favor this approach, but it is difficult to argue with success. The abrasive agent in the block is sand and gravel and that is silica of some sort which should be hard enough to do the job, but it is also quite coarse.

For oilstones I've generally used some thin motor oil - further thinned with some kerosene. If the oil is too thick it just seems to hold the sharpenee off the surface of the sharpener.

When you talk to Randy, double check to see it he has a lapping block; you may need to bring your own patio or cap block.

I think I will try this method for the Carborundums. They seem pretty hard and were fairly inexpensive. They do look very flat as they are, so I tried one out with a razor that was in bad shape. I did about 50 laps. Either the Carbo isn't as flat as I thought it was or the razor is slightly warped. The center of the blade didn't wear as fast as the rest of the edge on one side. I used 3-in-1 for oil, not sure if it's light enough. I'll try again after it's lapped.

Be sure to post the information once grit and useability are determined, thank you.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Be sure to post the information once grit and useability are determined, thank you.

This may be difficult for me considering that I don't have much to compare it to and am very new at honing. I have yet to get any lower grit stones. That's why I was hoping that the Carbos would serve that purpose. Maybe Randy will be able to shed some light. I also did pick up two more stones today at antique stores. One is very strange and is hard to describe, probably not a natural stone. It is very hard, a concrete block didn't do too much to it in 7 mins. The other appears to be either a black Arkansas or a Thuringian, it's hard to say for sure. It seems like it will be very smooth after I get rid of some scratches and nicks on the edge. It was much easier to lap. The slurry created was pretty dark, but the stone doesn't seem oily. It came in a wooden box (without room for a slurry stone). There are no marks or labels on either and both are about 8"X2".

I was able to spend some time with Randy today discussing razors and hones. It was a good time and I learned a lot. The honing videos that some here have made are a great tool, but don't compare to having somebody explain the process and show you in person. It turns out that the stones I picked up yesterday are some kind of Arkansas and the other is likely slate. The conversation never really made it around to the Carborundums. Randy only suggested that I don't bother with them. But, my coticules are properly lapped and I now have a better understanding of where to begin. Thanks Randy!!!

Your welcome! I always enjoy having you guys stop over and talk razors & hones.

The Carborundum stones you have are simply to coarse and slow cutting for razors. Wet/dry sandpaper is faster cutting and you can vary the grit to suit the needs.

The slate hone is questionable. As I mentioned to you the only way to find out if it has any abrasive properties is to use it on an old razor and see what it does. For a piece of slate it seems rather coarse.

The Belgian natural combo hone you have is very good. With 1000 grit sandpaper to remove the nicks and start the bevel and then switch to the Belgian for the rest of the honing. It will just require you to be patient. Come over again any time and we can do some honing on your razors.

Thanks a bunch for helping me identify and classify the DE's that I have. You certainly know the models and date codes. I was quite surprised that you knew them from memory!

BTW, remember that if you ever decide to part with that one razor I would be very happy to buy it! It is a exacltly what I am looking for.