The mystery of the ceramic stones

[mark76]

Waterstones consist of abrasive particles that have a particular grit size. According to Spyderco, it is not possible to give such a grit rating to the Spyderco ceramic stones. That has caused many questions as to how these ceramic stones work.

See for example the following threat: http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... extra-fine

Here Sal Glasser stated:

[INDENT]"We’ve spent a great deal of time trying to determine grits for our stones. The manufacturer has also worked with us, to no avail. A guess seems to be best.

Most abrasives are measured by the grit size used in the matrix. Our ceramic doesn’t work that way. Grit size is constant."
[/INDENT]


Recently there was a revealing threat at the Wicked Edge forum (http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php? ... de=replies).

Based on that threat, I wrote a blog post about that gave more insight into how the ceramic stones might work and be different from water stones.

You can find it here: http://moleculepolishing.wordpress.com/ ... ic-stones/

[Cliff Stamp]

Mark,

Nice writeup, I am going to repost this and the link.

[Stuart Ackerman]

I have some mildly damaged ceramic rods, and I will re-profile with some diamond plates...
I learn something every day...thanks for the link and the write-up, Mark...

[neil944]

Very interesting write-up. Since the majority of the users on this forum are obsessed with the sharpness of our Spyderco blades, this should be a required read for most of us.
Thank you for the work!

[bh49]

Mark,
Thank you for your article. Great read.

[Waco]

Waterstones consist of abrasive particles that have a particular grit size. According to Spyderco, it is not possible to give such a grit rating to the Spyderco ceramic stones. That has caused many questions as to how these ceramic stones work.

See for example the following threat: http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... extra-fine

Here Sal Glasser stated:

[INDENT]"We’ve spent a great deal of time trying to determine grits for our stones. The manufacturer has also worked with us, to no avail. A guess seems to be best.

Most abrasives are measured by the grit size used in the matrix. Our ceramic doesn’t work that way. Grit size is constant."
[/INDENT]


Recently there was a revealing threat at the Wicked Edge forum (http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php? ... de=replies).

Based on that threat, I wrote a blog post about that gave more insight into how the ceramic stones might work and be different from water stones.

You can find it here: http://moleculepolishing.wordpress.com/ ... ic-stones/

So, Spyderco doesn't make the stones?

[noseoil]

No Spyderco doesn't make steel either, but they make products with these items.

[kbuzbee]

Hey Mark. Great to see you here. Welcome brother!

Ken

(for guys who don't know him, Mark is a sharpening guru and major contributor on the WEPS forum. A great asset to add here!)

[mark76]

Thanks all for your nice comments!

@waco: the Spyderco stones (well, at least some of them) are manufactured by a company called Coorstek.