Difference between revisions of "Chinese Guangxi Hones"

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The Chinese 12k waterstone, or The Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit, is a stone quarried in the Guangxi provence in China.
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This waterstone is often called the Chinese 12k (C12k) or The Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit (PHIG), and it is a stone quarried in the Guangxi provence in China. The 12k grit rating from the Woodcraft catalogue, but that rating has been disputed by many. Some say they are higher, while others say they are lower, but the consensus seems to be that they are in the 10k to 12k range and are fine finishers.
The ballpark of 12k grit comes from the Woodcraft catalogue. Some have rated theirs significantly below 12k, and some have rated theirs above 12k.  Most consider them to be of high grit.
 
  
As a natural stone they vary, not all being the same.
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As is typical of natural hones, there is some variation of grit range and cutting characteristics from one stone to another. Some stones are softer and produce a light slurry with use; they typically cut more quickly, but produce an edge which is less keen. Some are somewhat scratchy, and may have inclusions which can interfere with the polishing of the edge. Others however are both hard and fine. It seems the stones which are gray with dark figuring may be among the finer finishers.
Some stones are soft and produce a light slurry with use, cutting quickly, but producing an edge which is less keen. Some are somewhat scratchy. Others however are both hard and fine. It seems the stones which are grey, rather than blue tinted, with dark figuring may be among the better.
 
  
It is considered a slow hone, sometimes requiring 100 or so strokes to finish. This can be sped up by using a slurry to start.
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These stones are always rather slow cutters, sometimes requiring 100 or so strokes to finish. This can be sped up by starting with a light slurry and diluting it to finish with just water.
  
 
[[category:hones]]
 
[[category:hones]]

Revision as of 18:03, 28 December 2010

This waterstone is often called the Chinese 12k (C12k) or The Peoples Hone of Indeterminate Grit (PHIG), and it is a stone quarried in the Guangxi provence in China. The 12k grit rating from the Woodcraft catalogue, but that rating has been disputed by many. Some say they are higher, while others say they are lower, but the consensus seems to be that they are in the 10k to 12k range and are fine finishers.

As is typical of natural hones, there is some variation of grit range and cutting characteristics from one stone to another. Some stones are softer and produce a light slurry with use; they typically cut more quickly, but produce an edge which is less keen. Some are somewhat scratchy, and may have inclusions which can interfere with the polishing of the edge. Others however are both hard and fine. It seems the stones which are gray with dark figuring may be among the finer finishers.

These stones are always rather slow cutters, sometimes requiring 100 or so strokes to finish. This can be sped up by starting with a light slurry and diluting it to finish with just water.