Editing Carborundum Hones

== &nbsp;'''&nbsp;Carborundum Sharpening Stones'''&nbsp;  ==

The word Carborundum is often used to describe most any manmade oilstone; when in fact, the word Carborundum is quite specific. 

<br>Carborundum was the name given to silicon carbide by Edward Goodrich Acheson. In 1890, Acheson was attempting to recreate diamonds. In doing so, Acheson experimented with carbon by mixing it with clay and electrically fusing it. The result was a product extremely hard and abrasive. The product was silicon carbide. Acheson named the silicon carbide product, “Carborundum’ and obtained a patent on it. 

<br>Edward Goodrich Acheson formed a company in&nbsp; Monongehela, PA and named it Carborundum. Abrasives were made from this new material, silicon carbide (Carborundum), in many shapes and sizes. In 1895 Acheson moves his company to Niagara Fall, N.Y... 

<br>Carborundum Corporation started producing sharpening stones in various grits and sizes. Many of the stones were dual grit, meaning a rough side of larger grit silicon carbide and a smoother side of smaller grit silicon carbide. Carborundum Corporation also produced stones with a finer grit that was used to sharpen razors. 

<br>Carborundum sharpening stones were given numerical grit rating from approximately 120 to 1200; 120 being a larger, rougher grit size and 1200 being a smaller, smoother grit size 

.<br>Finding a company document that assigns a grit rating for Carborundum stones, over 1200 grit, is difficult. There are Carborundum stones designated as razor hones in the approximate 4000 grit rating. This is usually determined by comparing a Carborundum razor hone, to an established high grit water stone by a company such as Norton.&nbsp; 

<br>&nbsp;''The Carborundum Company made a number of razor hones, though not all Carborundum hones are suitable for razors. This is a partial list of the product numbers; 45,79, 101, 101A ,102, 103, 103A, 103C, 103G, 104, 105, 106 - soft and porous,112&nbsp;?,115S, 118S, 124 - soft and porous, 152, 159, 180, 201 4" x 1 7/8" (not 6"x2 1/2")'' <br>Carborundum closed its Niagara Falls bonded abrasives plant in 1983. 

&nbsp;<br>'''Here are some links to discussions on Carborundum stones:''' 

[http://straightrazorplace.com/hones/61644-unnumbered-carborundum-hone.html Un-numbered Carborundums] 

[http://straightrazorplace.com/hones/58244-difference-carborundum-hones.html Difference in Carborundum Hones&nbsp;] 

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'''Below are photos of Carborundum (silicon carbide) sharpening stones; along with other types of abrasive sharpening stones that are often considered Carborundum, but are a different material product.'''<br> 

Carborundum # 109 Dual Grit Stone 

[[Image:Carborundum - 109 Dual Grit Stone -6 inch.JPG]] 

Carborundum # 124 &amp; 159 Stones 

[[Image:Carborundum Hones 124 & 159-New Old Stock (7).JPG]] 

Carborundum # 118 Stone ( A great bevel setter, approx. 900 to 1100 grit ) 

[[Image:Carborundum - 118 - 8 inch Razor Hone - 3 Fine Grit (8).JPG]] 

Carborundum Razor Hone, Palm Size 

[[Image:Carborundum Razor Hone - 3 (3).JPG]] 

[[Image:Carborundum Razor Hone - 3 (5).JPG]] 

Carborundum # 152 Razor Hone, Palm Size 

[[Image:Carborundum Razor Hone - 152.JPG]] 

'''Other sharpening stones that are often call Carborundums when seen without their boxes or labels.''' <br> <br> 

A Norton JB6 Crystolon (Norton's word for silicon carbide) Stone 

[[Image:Norton JB6 Crystolon Stone Model 8545C-6 (2).JPG]] 

A Norton Pike India Oilstone - Aluminum Oxide Material (Not silicon Carbide)

[[Image:Norton India Oilstone IB-8 -175th Anniversary Edition (2).JPG]] 

[[Image:Norton India Oilstone IB-8 -175th Anniversary Edition (6).JPG]] 

[[Category:Hones]]