[squbrigg]

Ship carver or chip carver.....it would make a difference to each, I would think. Somewhat different types of carving.

'The World Champion Ship Carver'.........hummmm, that's quite a boast!

Curious.

Bob

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I e-mail woodcraft about the stone and they told me NOT to use WD-40, or 3-in-1 oil! Bellow is the exact letter they wrote me.

[glow=red,2,300]'Everything we sell is returnable for up to one year, any condition new or used. Take some kerosene or paint thinner and scrub the stone thoroughly to remove the wd-40 and 3 in one oil. Or, dribble some paint thinner or kerosene on a piece of black wet/dry sandpaper, about 280 to 320 grit, and scrub the stone on it until clean. Do not use WD-40 or 3-in-1 oil as they leave additives behind, use sharpening oil or white mineral oil from any drug store.[/glow]

I will try using paint thinner and if that doesn't work I will go to the woodcarvign club and see if they can fix it, and if that doesn't work I will return it. Any comments about not using WD-40? Thank you

[AlArchie]

I'd really be interested in what 'additives' those products leave behind and what the detrimental effects of the additives are. Are they supposed to change the abrasive characteristics of the stone, or are they health hazards?

Al

I've never heard anything like that before! WD-40 is about the only oil I use in the shop (other then finishing oils). It's also the only oil I use on my sharpening stones also!!

Do you have a link to the stones you bought from them?

you may have got a response from woodcraft that is no more informed than what you have already gotten here. I think Al nailed it though... your hoping to rediscover the agressive points of new crystals on a used stone... ain't gonna happen. You can bake some of the oil out of a stone and that helps float out some of the steel, 2-3 hundred degrees for an hour or so... be carefull though... heated oil will become more volatile (flamable? combustable?). Also as Al said, once you get them sharp there will be little need to use the stones... stropping should be enough to maintain the edge. I have tools that see almost daily use that haven't seen a stone for a year or more... and I have NO doubt they are sharp.

[AlArchie]

A good example of stropping's effectiveness, is to relate back to the old time barbers, you know the ones who used to give ya a shave for six bits?

There wasn't a blade around any sharper than their straight razors, and they hardly EVER used a stone. If you looked really hard around his shop, you might find, tucked away in a corner, a larger 3'x10' stone that was almost as smooth as a piece of glass. I've never wittnessed one of these being used but suppose they were, as they were usually worn hollow in the center. Point being, a regular stropping and a once in a while touch up on an only mildly aggressive stone will keep your blades whistling through your beard.....errr......wood!

Al

[Colin_Partridge]

Al,
It is funny you said that I can remember my dad using the inside of a drinking glass to sharpen his razor blades. Opps I think I just dated myself.
Colin

[BobD]

When I was in Turkey, I stopped at a barber shop for a haircut and learned the first lesson about traveling--make sure the barber speaks English (if you don't understand the native tongue)...

After we found a translator, the haircut turned out OK, but then the barber decided I needed a shave. Before I knew it, he had lathered me up and pulled out a straight razor. As a member of the Mach III generation, I had never seen one before. Not only did he give me whitewalls (the scariest was when he was carving out around my ears) but a once over on my whole face--

It came out really smooth, so I went out and bought my own straight razor--needless to say, the barber made it look a lot easier than it was. I'm back to the Mach III

Bob

[AlArchie]

Yep, they sure kept those straight razors keen edged! I'm surprised we haven't had anyone ask, yet 'What the heck is six bits?'

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Us old f.....ts know what 6 bits is! LOL 'Shave and a haircut, 6 bits' ha ha And barbers always trimmed around your ears with a straight razor? Geez, this younger generation is missing out on a whole history of good stuff lol! 8)