Charlie researched his Case Moon Stone and found:

> It's "an alumina ceramic stone=2C harder than natural stone and with a
> more uniform

> texture". He said they get quite a few queries for them=2C but they're
> no longer made. I >guess I'll keep it.
>


And of course everything known to mankind is available on the internet:


 http://www.sharpenem.com/Bench-Stones/Ceramic-Stones/


In relation to a slipstone offering=2C the above website states:

"Spyderco=92s fine grit ceramic slip stone is flat=2C thin and ultra
smooth for professionally finishing and sharpening. They=92re made from
Alumina Ceramic=2C a process where a bonding agent is combined with
Alumina particles that are actually synthetic sapphires. The stone is
formed into a slip teardrop and kiln fired to 3000 degrees F (1649=B0C).
Alumina ceramic stones measure 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (out of 10)
and don=92t require lubricants like oil or water for use."


I have a small ceramic stone marked "Cincinatti Milacron" - it's for
taking the raised edges off any dings which appear (!) on the finely-
ground cast-iron table of a certain metal-eating tailed apprentice.


This is another one of my favorite stones. I've always used it dry.


Learning never ceases. From the site above=2C I learned that the stone
can be cleaned with household cleanser. (I'll be careful not to use the
type containing Chlorine!)

I can see why Charlie likes his Case Moon Stone since it is a bigger
version of my little Cincinatti Milacron clean-up stone. And=2C who knew
it was a synthetic sapphire??? That just adds to the appeal !


John Ruth



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