Thread: Do you soak your Chinese 12K ?

Originally Posted by Ben325e

I live in Easter NC and it's very humid here. I've soaked the 12k and I've not soaked the 12k, and honestly, I believe they dry out just as fast either way if left sitting there. Soaking the 12k is a time-waster.

I tried mine with honing oil instead of water and it just sits on the surface for days. It seems to be a very non pourus stone.

Originally Posted by PonderingTurtle

I tried mine with honing oil instead of water and it just sits on the surface for days. It seems to be a very non pourus stone.

Did you revert back to water? If so did you notice any differences with regard to your edges? Thanks

They say that once you use oil for waterstone you clog the pores and as such you can never go back...

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Did you revert back to water? If so did you notice any differences with regard to your edges? Thanks

They say that once you use oil for waterstone you clog the pores and as such you can never go back...

Although I haven't had to try it myself I've been told that oven cleaner will get the oil out of a waterstone that has been mistreated.

No, I don't soak mine. I did when I first got it because that's what it said on the box, but since it it such a hard stone, and doesn't actually absorb the water, I stopped. Now I just splash a little water on , spread it around, and start honing, adding a couple drops from time to time to keep it moist.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Although I haven't had to try it myself I've been told that oven cleaner will get the oil out of a waterstone that has been mistreated.

I've never tried but i know people who used car brake cleaner for taking oil out of stones and even for taking stearin away from stone and concrete.

There's also some biological stuff that is used to take engine oil away from the ground, concrete plates etc. It is based on some bacteria that eat oil. Tried it few times and it worked.

Tried mine soaked and un-soaked without noticing any difference whatsoever. Now I don't soak it.

Big +1 on rounded edges. I've done it to all of my hones (except the the glass 30K).

Ive read elsewhere that it makes little difference whether soaked or not, which I believe is the general consensus of this thread.

I have never used this stone and wish to acquire one in the near future, although I am aware that it is deemed to be an extremely slow cutter.

Has anyone used both a C12K and an Escher?

If so, regardless of speed, cost, durability, what is the difference in edges achieved; or is it the same result as I have read previously?

I soaked mine and I'm glad I did. Not only does it seem to soak up water like a shop vac, it also sheds water fast. I soaked it and kept a small spray bottle near to keep it moist and water off of the table, and thus the wife cool.

Since this thread is still around, I thought I'd update ya'll. Since I began cutting these guys up, I did an experiment. These stones absorb very little water during soaking. At least the one I cut did. I'm sure no two are exactly alike since they are a natural product. Some may be more pouros than others. I think you'd be better offer keeping a spray bottle by you. I cut one up that had been soaking for about 1 hour....2x the norm. It didn't really suck up any water, so unless this has some other effect that I'm unaware of, I don't see the point. It's a very hard, almost non pourous stone..Just keep the surface wet. When I want to hone, I want to do it right away. I don't like waiting 30 mins for my stones to soak....

Yes to Scipio, I've used both Escher and C12k, Escher is far superior in the edge it gives, No soaking, less strokes, and it's a rare stone, which makes it more valuable...I have several Escher's. Next to the Japanese Natural, it is my favorite and go to finisher....

my 12k remains in water all the time..i soak it and the japan 1000/6000k.
i also use a 12k slurry that i bought from zib and it speeds up the process and i really like the stone.
also in regards to getting the oil out of a stone, i have a simple cure, i soak the stone in water with DAWN liquid dish washing soap..seems to work quite well