Thread: Is this a Chinese 12K

So I got this hone, and I just want to make sure it's a Chinese 12K before I lap it. It doesn't explicitly say Chinese 12K, but when I ordered the guy understood what I was asking for.

The photos don't appear to be coming up for me for some reason. If you click click, and show in a new window or tab, it the showed them for me.

Thanks in advance.

Yes it is. See this discussion on different (?) variants too.

When lapping it should I keep the edges sharp, or round them off?

In the one image I posted, you can see there's a chip in the side. Does that require any action? it arrived with the chip.

Also I know it's a waterstone but does it require soaking, ala the norton 4K/8K, or is pouring water on it as i use it sufficient?

I can't see the pictures...but you should definitely round off the edges. Having sharp edges on a stone can cause problems when honing if the razor catches the edge, the stone's also less likely to chip if it hits something by accident.

Is the chip going to affect honing? If it is, depending on how deep it is, I would try to smooth it out via lapping so it can't catch an edge of the razor during honing. I don't have a chinese 12k, but from what I hear it's a VERY hard and slow stone, so it shouldn't require any soaking. But, soaking it won't hurt if you want to be safe! I would advice you to make a slurry on the chinese though, since it's reputed to be extremely slow with just water. You could do this with a rubbing stone (i.e. a small chinese stone), a dmt plate, or something comparable.

Hi, I can't see your pics. If it is a Chinese 12k, they do require soaking for 30 minutes prior to use. They are extremely slow when it comes to honing. 100 laps without a slurry, or 50 laps with a slurry. If you need a slurry stone, I sell them in the classifieds. PM me if you have any questions, Rich

Having learned how to properly post photos.
Here's the photo of the chip in the side of my stone, does it require any attention?

Looks like the Chinese 12k to me.

That chip should be ok, just work off the other side. It still looks like the edges need to be broken/rounded a bit.

If the chip bothers you, check into getting the hone replaced. Personally, I wouldn't worry about that one defect.

Yeah I've still got to round the edges a bit.
I can't believe I'm admitting this because it's so stupid, but I didn't think about using the other side. That sir is embarrassing. haha.

Originally Posted by zib

Hi, I can't see your pics. If it is a Chinese 12k, they do require soaking for 30 minutes prior to use. They are extremely slow when it comes to honing. 100 laps without a slurry, or 50 laps with a slurry. If you need a slurry stone, I sell them in the classifieds. PM me if you have any questions, Rich

The ones I have don't need soaking at all - they are so dense that a drop of water sits on the surface for ages before either evaporating away or being slowly absorbed. I just put water on the top, work it with a slurry stone, and hone.

Regards,
Neil