onondaga
posted this
20 November 2012
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=6171>Pigslayer:
It is just a matter of grit and grade. Glass flat and abrasive cloth with water will certainly re-flat Novaculite. I use a Diamond slab and water for flattening because I have one that works well. If you have difficulty re-flatting with just water and abrasive cloth, try adding a spray cleaner like 409. I have a lapidary diamond saw also and these cut very flat and smooth. I don't slab out sharpening stones, But I could.
You might guess that the highest grade of American Novaculite sharpening stones never see the shelves in America. It gets exported and is just as demanded in other parts of the world as the Japanese top grade stuff. Why? because it is equal in quality for the same grit and grade.
The molecular matrix of Novaculite is not identical to any other sharpening stones, it is however, one of the stronger of the types and does erode somewhat slower than Japanese Waterstone. That is a plus to me and a significant plus across the European market also.
I am sure you are very happy with your Waterstones, You might get that grade of Novaculite directly in Arkansas if you put your mind to it and really wanted to buy American. It does, however, take a very special skill to grade select any type of sharpening stone.
Here is some slabs of Agate I cut and shaped with a diamond Lapidary saw. They are gem quality and will be knapped into points and blades, but would also be awesome finishing stones:
I only sell them in person at shows and Knap-ins where people watch me work and I sign them.
Gary