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
25 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Super Sharp
This tool is a tool that should be in every serious turners pocket. I use it to make my tools super sharp and it does save me time on the grinder
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american made quality
Very satisfied. I will gladly pay more for a quality product like this.
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Best sharpener for woodworking tools, but expensive
I've tried lots of sharpening tools, including diamond, stones, and jigs. I saw Alan using this at a forum of Florida Woodturners last winter and was intrigued. His method rarely uses a grinder. Instead he keeps this in his pocket, honing his tools with every few minutes of turning. Now I've learned the trick and am grateful for the tip. This sharpener works exceptionally well all sorts of scrapers, skews, and gouges. It's the most expensive, single sharpening device I've purchased, but I expect it will hold up to years of use. I can't say the same for those little diamond encrusted "nail files" that I've used previously.
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Diamond slip stone/home 600 grit Grrrrreat
I cant believe how much difference the Diamond slip stone 600 grit makes on my skew. As a new wood turner I need all the help I can get It is unreal how much sharper the skew is over just using the grinding wheel. The good part is I don't have to use oil on the stone Each time I go back and sharpen the skew after each turning it seems like it is sharper probably because I am still learning how to!
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great hone
This hone works perfectly for all tools not only the skew, I like the weight the most it is easy to control. Reminds me of things made back some years ago, to last.
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must have for woodturning
If you use skews and gouges, and really any non carbide insert turning tool, you need this.It will save you return trips to the grinder. shape is a difference maker. very happy with my purchase.
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great tool
great product, very well made and great functional design.
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Reliable and worthwhile
Like every woodworker I know, i have a collection of stones, pastes, plates and papers. So, when I got this stone several years ago, i thought: Well, it will be good till the next best thing comes along. Not so. I use this hone every time I turn. And I use it often through out the process. After breaking in, the hone is smooth and reliably gives me a polished edge every time. With a hollow grind on the tool (either skew or gouge) i located the hone against the heel of the grind and start stroking as I lay it into the tip of the tool. By registering against the heel, I get a perfectly controlled, highly effective hone at the tip. I just bought one for my brother knowing it will last his lifetime. Well, I gave him my four-year-old hone and kept the new one!
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Great Product!
This was everything I was hoping it would be. I wanted it for the flat and radius edges. Works great! I would highly recommend this for sharpening.