Rob Cosman uses water stones and seems to spend as much time
flatteningthem as he does in using
them to sharpen.  This need for incessant flattening is the main reason I
no longer use my water stones.  IMHO, this obsession with flattening stones
is akin to some of the other obsessions that seem to periodically grip
woodworkers; obsessions that take time away from actually working wood.

Ken Shepard

On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 1:20 PM, Don Schwartz wrote:

> On 11/20/2012 10:37 AM, Alex Moseley wrote:
>
> 
>
>    Once you rehab a deeply dished oilstone, you might not want to do it
>> again.
>>
>>  
>
> Quoting part of my own earlier post:
>
> "it was great fun flattening stones, but I would prefer not to make a
> hobby of it. So I'm interested in any technique that purports to keep
> stones flat. This week I've read in two different sources of the need to
> flatten a stone AFTER EVERY USE.
>
> 1. The Joyner and Cabinetmaker, refers to workmen being expected to
> flatten the communal 'rubbing stone' after using it, and being fined for
> failing to do so. Presumably that rubbing stone (as distinct from a hone)
> was a piece of sandstone used in preference to a wheel thereof, so it would
> likely wear pretty quick, like some waterstones.
>
> 2. David Charlesworth likewise says in A Guide to Hand Tools and Methods
> that the hone should be flattened after each use.
>
> So, two sources ... suggesting this be done. It sounds a little tedious,
> but I expect it might be like putting tools away after use (or digging a
> garden) - easier done a little at a time....
>
> Charlesworth also promotes a technique for flattening blades ... which he
> says gets the job done and reduces hollowing at the same time. Without
> going into detail, he has a very specific recipe for number and direction
> of strokes crosswise of the stone, and the portion of stone to use,
> followed by equally detailed specifications for lengthwise strokes.
>
> FWIW
> Don
>
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