Just a quickie, Anyone know if you can still get the old style oil stones (usually in a wooden box), for sharpening chisels etc; looks like a block of slate in a wooden box. Mine (which I inherited) is getting somewhat worn and is starting to show it's age (just like me!). I have tried some more modern dry sharpening stones, but nothing has yet come anywhere near the edge you get with an old style oil stone.
TIA
Martin.
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Product no: 12048 Price: £4.99 inc. VAT
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To ensure a high quality of stone, make sure it is an "India stone". Ordinary oil stones will quickly wear out.
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I'm intrigued by your comment about the old one being worn.
If it is just dished it can be flattened with either silicin carbide grains on a flat surface (plate glass would do) or with wet and dry abrasive paper . (Again plate glass can act as a sub strate)
If you have managed to wear it out you must be a hevay user.;-)
I find water stones the best to use in a workshop environment for things like wood chisels Quick cutting and easily flattened
Paul Mc Cann
What makes a "water stone" a "water stone"? Is there any reason why an "oilstone" shouldn't be used with water instead (from new *before* it ever gets any oil near it, of course!) ?
Many Thanks Paul, The one I'm currently using is (as near as I can tell) well over 50 years old; I inherited it from my Grandfather. And, yes it is somewhat dished in the centre; I wasn't *aware* they could be re-flattened.
Martin.
Not sure if this directly answers your question, but I was under the impression that a stone could be either water or oil - but not both:
I should have been more explicit. I meant Japanese water stone. They are softer tham Western oil stones, cut quicker but also wear quicker. They are very easy to flatten
Paul Mc Cann
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