In the course of reorganizing, I found a never-used waterstone purchased years ago, and hidden in the back of a drawer. It is in a mounting bracket that was bought at the same time, and its original box is long gone. I have no recollection of what the grits are or even where the stone was purchased. It is unmarked except for the stamped word JAPAN.
The stone is double sided, and is a dull brick red color on one side, and a golden tan on the other.
Does anybody have an idea of what the grits would be, or where in a sharpening sequence each should be used?
I have oil stones, wheels, and a diamond plate, so the water stone is not a necessity. still, I’d like to learn how to use it in as much as I already own it.
Replies
If I had to guess-and here, I really have to-I would say it's a 1000/4000 stone. The red side is 1000 and the tan is 4000. It was or is a fairly common combo stone. I may have the grits wrong but I will say that I am pretty sure the red side is the coarser side.
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
Edited 3/13/2007 9:42 am ET by JJV
JJV and Jeff:
Thanks for the insight. I guess at some point I will just have to try it out. Interesting about natural stones. One of those obvious things that isn't obvious until it is pointed out--but clearly rocks do not come out of the hill coded as to grit. I guess you try them, see how they cut, and take it from there.
Joe
Ha ha-I've thought of that before. "Hey, I need a new coarse stone. I'll just head over to 220 Hill over there and chip one out for myself. While I'm at it I'll pop over to 8000 Mound and get a new chunk of polishing stone."
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
Joe
Believe it or not, what you say is not all that far fetched, or very far from the truth. I'll spare you the names and spellings of some of the natural japanese stones I have (mainly because I don't remember them unless I look at the invoice when I bought them), but in Japan, there are actually certain mountainous regions where 4000 grit "blue" (not the japanese name, obviously) stones are mined. And, the 8000 grit polishing stones come from a different mountainous region, and the little Nagura stone, which you would use to create the initial slurry on a natural japanese polishing stone, comes from yet another mountain. No kidding! At one point in my woodworking endeavors, I was completely enthralled with all tools japanese, and learned a bit about where all this crap comes from.
Get that stone wet and use it. That'll be the tell all for you.
Jeff
Oh, Lord! I started three threads by asking simple (!?) questions about hand saws. Have I created another monster! Very interesting, though, and does make sense. The color is a bit like white arkansas and black arkansas, wher the place name and the color equate to the fineness.
I'll mess with my stone and see what I can ruin with it. Should be fun.
J
Joe
Water stones are not color coded. Different manufacturers use different colors, and natural japanese water stones, found in the mountains, are varying in color as well. The best way to find out what you have is to use it. Low grit stones cut quickly, and with a rougher sound to them. Polishing stones cut much slower, and if you look at the edge you are trying to sharpen, it will tell you if your lighter side is a medium grit, or a polishing grit. A 4000 grit stone leaves a pretty dull finish, albeit with much smaller scratches than a 800 or 1000 grit stone. The red is probably a lower, faster cutting grit.
If you're not familiar, make sure you soak the stone for a good while, 20 minutes or so, before using it.
Jeff
Lest there be confusion, like oil stones, water stones are available in both natural and synthetic materials.
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