Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4"

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

I've used two of these stones (This large size and the smaller one) fairly extensively on carbon steel chisels and plane blades. Both behave exactly the same way. The instructions say soak for 30 mins but I found 5 - 10 minutes was all that was needed. I seems fairly thirsty for such a dense natural stone though. These stones should be used for polishing only. I spend most of my time on coarser stones to sharpen. If done correctly, you can go from 1k grit artificial to this 12k rated stone no problem. In use with just water, I found these stones pretty sticky when polishing the backs and even when polishing the bevel with a honing guide. The blade tends to skip and shutter. This happens with some of my harder j-nats as well. When using firm pressure the results are pretty coarse. You get a polish but you also get some deeper scratches. My guess is that this stone is made up of varying grit sizes. I picked up an Iyo plate nagura off ebay for about $20 including shipping. This nagura makes a nice fine slurry and makes polishing possible without skipping. Polish using LIGHT to VERY LIGHT strokes. You will be rewarded with a fine matte finish and a razor sharp edge. When compared to some of my N-nat's, the finish is a little finer; although the light strokes is probably helping here. Used with a slurry and light strokes, you will maximize the potential of this stone. It's a bargin for a natural finishing stone.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

Great stone, funny story.... So I had this stone soaking in a plastic container, I did not use it for a few months, and I had left it on a bench that got a small amount of sunlight from a tiny basement window. Well the day came that I needed to use it, and to my surprise when I opened the container A giant centipede like creature was wrapped around the thing. This baby was about 7 inches long, 3/8 wide and fairly thin, with hundreds of legs. I was startled and dumped him in the garbage disposal and scrubbed the stone clean. Maybe there was a egg in the natural stone. maybe it was in the water I used. It could not have climbed in, it was to tight. whatever the case it was awesome, and I got my moneys worth. very pleased with the stone, mirror like finish especially with the nagura slip.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

I got one of these stones to try out because it was inexpensive. The first time I used it, I didn't build a slurry prior to sharpening and it was less shiny than a 8K stone I was using before. Next time, I used a Diamond Plate to raise a slurry and then went to work. Big difference!! The stone works slowly, but gives a very nice polish to the edges. Because the stone is very hard, it seems to refine the edge a bit more and the edge is a bit more precise than on softer stones. It really puts a sharp edge on knives/tools but you really need a good slurry to get all of it's benefits.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

This stone cuts faster than an Arkansas stone but slower than man made water stones. The big problem is that it is no where near the advertised 12,000 grit. The scratch pattern on tools is much more pronounced than my 6000 grit water stone. No magnifying glass needed - the naked eye can clearly see how much grittier the "polished" surface is after using this stone. Woodcraft's return department refunded my purchase price and return shipping with no problem.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

As a knifesmith I find this stone will put a nice final edge on my knives.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

I have a collection of approx. 40 straight razors which I shave with daily. I bought this stone to use in addition to my others, primarily the Norton 4-8000. This stone is rated at 12000 and I thought it would be the final step. Turns out it doesn't leave as smooth an edge as my 8000. I say this after examination under magnification. The stone itself is wonderful and does a good job of cutting and smoothing an edge but for me, not the final hone ready for stropping. Now I use it to "pyramid" my final strokes prior to stropping. As I said it is a wonderful stone. I gave it 3 stars only because it was't exactly what I anticipated it to be and for my intended tool. For many, and other areas of my regular work such as sharpening my carving chisels it would be an excellent purchase.

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

A great stone and a great price. Puts a nice polish on that edge!

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

Great size! The large working surface aides in putting that final polish on your edge. Lapp it up nice and true = flat and you'll have a sexy surface to play with!

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

I was Skeptical! Now I'm sold!!!

Comments about Natural Water Stone, 8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/4" :

I have used it on my pocket knife (CKRT M21-04, aus-8 steel) and the blade on my multi-tool (Leatherman Wave-II, 420HC steel). The stone is able to increase sharpness and give the blades refined looking to the edge. Enjoyed the sound of it. Had slurry built up but not very thick. Without saying, it is the best to be used on a blade that is already relatively sharp.