Can a stone get clogged?

[Cheech]

I've tried honing on a used 4k/8k that I acquired some time ago. However, I've found that it just doesn't cut. Even after crazy numbers of laps, there's no real difference.

I was wondering if its possibly a problem with the used stone, or is it just me? If its a problem with the stone, I'll happily get a new stone. If its me, that's a somewhat more difficult fix.

Any and all input welcome.

 

[MajorBurnz]

Synthetics can get clogged.

No need to discard the hone. The clogging doesn't go too deep usually. Just lap it on each side (just a bit), and you should have a useful hone again.

 

[Wid]

I don't find the Norton 4/8K to have much of a problem with swarfing. Like was said, a light lapping will cure it.

 

[J. Roger]

Absolutely, stones can become clogged.

Oil stones require a few drops of honing oil to keep metal slurry from packing into the stone's pores. Using a stone dry can really plug-up a stone. Try scrubbing it with a brush with detergent and warm water.

***

As the previous members have said, another possibility is that the stone is slightly dished out. Check the stone with a straight edge. Even a slight concavity could cause what you are describing over a blade length.

Water stones can easily be lapped on a flat surface (like glass) covered with wet/dry sandpaper.

Other types of stone can be lapped on other harder stones...so either look for a professional to do it for you or you'll have to buy a new stone to hone your old stone.

 

[danjared]

Absolutely, stones can become clogged.

Oil stones require a few drops of honing oil to keep metal slurry from packing into the stone's pores. Using a stone dry can really plug-up a stone. Try scrubbing it with a brush with detergent and warm water.

***

As the previous members have said, another possibility is that the stone is slightly dished out. Check the stone with a straight edge. Even a slight concavity could cause what you are describing over a blade length.

Water stones can easily be lapped on a flat surface (like glass) covered with wet/dry sandpaper.

Other types of stone can be lapped on other harder stones...so either look for a professional to do it for you or you'll have to buy a new stone to hone your old stone.

I believe you misinterpreted. Yohann and Rick were referring to the stone glazing. A light lapping will solve that. A light lapping would be maybe 15 seconds tops. If the stone were dished, the lapping would be a bigger task. Also, even with a very hard stone, some packs of sandpaper and a flat surface are all you need.

 

[Cheech]

I have tried to flatten it several times and found that the pencil marks on the corners are still lightly there. Maybe I'll just kick down for a flattening stone and give that a shot - working it until it is fully flat all the way around.

In the past, even after flattening it on a DMT, it still didn't seem to cut. I think I'll get a fresh flattening stone, scrub it down, flatten it until its even all around, and see how it goes afterwards.

 

[Wid]

You are working up through a progression with the 4/8K stone right?

 

[Disburden]

I clean my Norton every time I use it by lapping it with a 325 grit DMT plate, I do about 8-10 figure eights on the surface and then hone with the slurry on it and dilute as I go.

The Norton should be cleaned every time you use it or it will get dirty and clog up.

 

[Cheech]

You are working up through a progression with the 4/8K stone right?

Yep.

I clean my Norton every time I use it by lapping it with a 325 grit DMT plate, I do about 8-10 figure eights on the surface and then hone with the slurry on it and dilute as I go.

The Norton should be cleaned every time you use it or it will get dirty and clog up.

What I had been doing was soak, flattening passes, rinse, rinse between lap sets, then rinse when done.

Now that I think about it, the corners (where the pencil marks remained) have flattened very slowly.

 

[bladerunner]

This may sound like a strange question. I have a few vintage barber hones, some have 1 grit/side others are 2 sided/2 grits. On the 1 grit hones bearing a logo-Swaty, which side is the honing surface, the logo side or the plain side?

 

[kg4ghn]

This may sound like a strange question. I have a few vintage barber hones, some have 1 grit/side others are 2 sided/2 grits. On the 1 grit hones bearing a logo-Swaty, which side is the honing surface, the logo side or the plain side?

On the 1 grit stones it doesn't matter which side you use. Most people use the side without the logo as it gives you a bigger working area.

 

[life2short1971]

Heres the swaty directions

 

[Cheech]

I went ahead and got the Norton flattening stone. I then got my 4k/8k flat.

I'll give it a spin tomorrow. Looking at the difference, I'm wondering if this was a problem based on incorrect flattening. We'll see tomorrow.