Thread: John - Flattening Arkansas Stones

So... What I like about Arkansas/Washita stones - they are well behaved in a predictable way. They cut how they cut, and if something goes awry, they're pretty easy to flatten/rejuvenate. I got the glazed Washita lapped and going in under 10 minutes. It's settling in, but initial indications are promising.

The down side is that there are some real duds out there, and they give these a HORRIBLE reputation.

I am very much disliking my fine India stone for basically the opposite reason. My Norton India is almost impossible to flatten, and when I finally get it flat, it's dead and won't cut at all. I've only managed to partially brought it back to life, but now it's acting like it's wonky again. Other people are able to get success with these, so it's something I'm doing. My next step is going to be silicon carbide paper and also an old cookie sheet for the loose grit to replace my lexan sheet. I can see why people loved Washita stones, and I can see why they jettison India stones for synthetic water stones.

The frustrating part is that now I know how to get an Arkansas stone going. I'm pretty sure I could get a water stone going. I want to like the India stone, but for now, I hate this one.

what kind of oil are you using on the india? they excel with a lighter weight mineral oil (USP 70 or 100, for example - probably what norton sells).

they definitely are hard to get back to life, and if you want them to cut sharply, a quick pass with a coarse diamond hone is useful. It's not the messy slosh that you'd do with waterstones, but more just keeping it alive.

with oil, they will continue to cut but as they dull, they become more area and pressure dependent just like an arkansas.

Their one bad habit once you get all of that settled out is they can pin pieces of wire edge if you're not paying attention, but knowing something is bringing a big burr to them - like a newly made or completely reground iron - that's kind of the situation where they do it. the diamond hone removes the pins in one swipe. that reminds me, I need to go to the china site and order a half size 150 grit diamond hone.

So... For anybody interested... The key to rejuvenating a dead India stone is high quality (read expensive) sandpaper. The home store stuff won't do it. The fancy pants ceramic stuff will at least work, though it eats it. Cleaning is via paint thinner since the stone is oil filled.