NOTE: LEATHER SHEATH MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM PHOTO AS I AM EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT LEATHERS

The first  (and I believe the only) true diamond slipstone on the market. This is now 500/600 blend grit stone, designed with the woodturner in mind. This 500/600 blend will give longer wear and a bit more aggressive than the 600 grit I made for years. There are two flat surfaces and two different radii on the long edges provides a single tool for all of your woodturning honing operations. Size:  5" long, 2" wide and 1/4" thick.   Made from high grade monocrystalline  diamond selected for longevity, with double nickel plated onto mild steel. Comes with a fine leather sheath. WARNING: This hone is not the flat, imported, plated one-sided hone that has been  associated with Alan's name.  The metal shaping is done in Wisconsin, diamond plating in Pennsylvania and the sheath is made in Oklahoma. MADE REALLY REALLY IN THE USA!

The Diamond Slip/Hone is made by a woodturner for woodturners. This is a true slip type hone with two different radius edges to fit inside the flute of virtually all woodturning gouges on the market.

 CLEANING: I have been contacted by some who felt they had worn out the stone, but actually is was just dirty or loaded with metal.  One of the advantages of diamond is that you can hone with it dry, or use water or WD40 for heavy honing.  However, you must clean it often if you use it dry.   If  lightly used, hot water and soap will work as will WD40, scrub if necessary with an old toothbrush.   But my best success for cleaning has been with PB Blaster (the one for frozen nuts and bolts).  If buildup is significant  (black particles of steel) or it has been a while since you last cleaned it, try PB Blaster  (be sure it says "The original bolt and nut buster" as they now have a number of products).  You can find this at most auto store, hardware and some big box stores.  Spray it on, let it set for a few hours, wipe off with a cloth  (scrub if need be with the old toothbrush).

DIAMOND OR CBN (BORON)?

Diamond or boron/CBN?   Alan made these hones in CBN material about 10 years ago, but went back to diamond as it is approximately twice as hard as CBN.  CBN is great for grinding wheels, where diamond would break down when grinding steel (a chemical reaction due to the generated heat of grinding).   However, for hand honing diamond is far superior when using the correct type and grade of diamond.  For more information check this out:  

 http://www.diametal.com/en/product/abrasives/electroplated-precision-grinding-tools-in-diamond-and-cbn/diamond-and-cbn.html