Anyone ever used a Silicon Carbide combination stone made by Gator?

B

Blackie Scantling

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Dec 26, 2013
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I was looking for a Arkansa bench sharpening stone and couldn't find one at Tractor Supply so I tried a True Value and found an 8" Fine/Course, light grey / dark grey Silicon Carbide combination stone for 12.00.

When I got it home and out of the package it felt really course on the course side and still pretty course on the fine side. I don't know if I want to put my ESEE 4 on it or not. It looks like something to sharpen an ax or a Kaiser blade (some call it a Sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade). Anyone use one of these on their knives?
 
I found it in their archives, based on the numbers its a tough use tool - 60/80 grit. I'd break it in good with plenty of oil and use it to flatten the back side of a chisel or two - something like that. It might be the exact same stone sold at many other hardware stores and listed as simply coarse/fine. My ACE stone is not quite as refined as the Norton Crystalon but is a touch better than the Norton Econo stone and the coarse side is better than either. Nothing to do but try it out...
 
Thank you sir,
Right after I started this thread I posted a pic of my ESEE-4 in the 'Pics of customized production knives' thread further down. One of the custom or mods I did was to drop the point slightly which resulted in a very sharp needle point, pointed enough to remove a small splinter. I then reclined in my office chair with it on my knee, admiring it in the lamp light.
I later got up to turn in and heard it hit the stone tile floor. Sure enough, when I picked it up I saw I had broken the fine tip off.
I then got the new Gator stone and began trying to put another sharp point on it using the fine side. It's, as you say, a "tough use tool" maybe too course for newly beloved ESEE-4 as it left the edge looking like it was sharpened on a grinding wheel.

What oil would you recommend for a break in or better yet whats the stone I'm really looking for, preferably found at a local ACE. A local ranch supply does have DMT diamonds in both Med. and Fine, separately but I really want a 2 in 1 med./fine. I haven't read any grit charts but apparently the med./ fine on one stone is different from whats med./fine on another.


Eta - How would my uneducated Gator stone purchase compare with the Norton Crystolon Combination Oilstone or India stone as far as grit which are suggested fof the novice sharpener?
 
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I don't have the exact stocking number, but at my local ACE its a thick 6" stone in a blister wrap, card backing. They used to sell a cheaper aluminum oxide stone of same approx dimensions but was much lighter in color, esp the fine side. For break in and usage I go with the pharmacy grade mineral oil. Some consider it too thick, but viscosity seems to break down with use and the added weight helps keep it pooled on the stone.

Med/fine are all over the map. The ACE stone I have, Norton Crystalon, Econo stones are all similar, only slight differences in how fine an edge I can eke from each. The ACE and Crystalon are faster as they seem to have SIC of higher purity and more uniform particle size.

The recaptured grit from a SIC stone used with oil will do wonders on a sheet of paper wrapped around the same stone - watch out for loose grit under the paper. You will likely want to go finer, but is a good way to get max value from your Gator stone.

I know we're discussing SiC stones here, but if you haven't taken a look at the sharpening board I sell through my signature, might be worth a peek. Is a rare day I use anything else anymore, have even used it to do serrations. If I lost all my gear its the first thing I'd replace (maybe the only thing I'd replace).

If I'm near the local ACE I'll try to pull the item # for ya.

Martin
 
I looked at part of your sight, lot of good info there with hand drawn illustrations.
I'm putting a point back on the ESEE -4 right now using the Course side if the Gator.
 
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