I keep my waterstones flat with a 220 grit DMT stone, a good multi-
takser that I also use for the first stages of sharpening and lapping.
It only takes a few swipes each time I use my stones- maybe 10 seconds
at most. I started doing this after watching Larry Williams' DVD
Sharpening Profiled Hand Tools. He does the same with his oil stones
before he uses them. I figure he's a pretty reliable source . It's made
a big difference in my sharpening, reducing the time it takes and giving
me more consistent results. If you take care of your stones they won't
get out of flat.

If I had to start over again I'd pick oil stones, but I'm determined to
use these water stones until they are used up. Josh

On 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.
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------