[VAwoodcarver]

Ive wondered for a long time about sharpening stones and which natural stones worked well and if there was a common (in the US) stone that i could find in my back yard or in my area that would work if it was flat enough..and if so which works best?

[AlArchie]

Many different varieties of shale can be used for sharpening stones. The "Nonesuch" shale from up near Ontonagon, Michigan is supposed to be one of the best, but most is found either on private property or state land.

Al

[VAwoodcarver]

Yea ive found a few very flat pieces of wat i think is shale but i didnt know if there was a common stone that was related to novaculite... or something like it

[Capt. Bandaid]

I found a wonderful sharpening stone on the Norton website! Combination coarse and fine india stone. About $20. Not free but works very well for rough shaping of the edge on new blades. Unless you are very lucky, I doubt you will find a stone flat enough to use for sharpening.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

you can make your own flat stones, same way sculptors do, rub like stones together.......I did that with a couple pieces of natural marble and ended up with a nice flat surface.

[BobD]

If you make your own, I would suggest that you alternate between three stones...otherwise the two stones tend to wear a matching (incorrect) shape to themselves. That's what I do with my waterstones to keep them flat.

Bob

[Capt. Bandaid]

OK, you guys rub your stones. I will continue buy the ground and mounted Arkansas Stones for about $10. :-)

[VAwoodcarver]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bandaid

I found a wonderful sharpening stone on the Norton website! Combination coarse and fine india stone. About $20. Not free but works very well for rough shaping of the edge on new blades. Unless you are very lucky, I doubt you will find a stone flat enough to use for sharpening.

Well i found a remarkabley flat stone a couple months ago and i am still amazed at how much it resembles a real stone.. almost looks like its too perfect and square to be cut by nature but it works well with some blades that need rough sharpening or if im not worried about using a professional stone. The stone is about 8x3in and prob an inch thick..

[buckbeans]

If you look at the flint knapper sites you will find them using arkansas stones for making arrow heads and knives. I was attending a gemshow here in tucson where I found one gentleman selling them for a few dollars a pound. I picked up a nice 5X6 inch piece that a rockhound buddy cut for me. This is what we know as the translucent hard arkansas stone.
I now know why people like them so much.

[cats pa]

If you want a coarse stone on a budget, mix up a little batch of cement and cast it any size you want.

Parker