Whetstones are ancient tools used for sharpening blades. They can be made from natural or synthetic materials and come in different shapes and sizes. Japanese whetstones are popular due to their clay component, while diamond hob whetstones use abrasive diamond chips.
A whetstone is a natural or synthetic tool used for sharpening tools and blades. Whetstones are one of the oldest human tools, dating back to ancient civilizations. Modern whetstones are often made from synthetic materials, as high-quality natural materials are in short supply.
Whetstones have existed in some form nearly as long as bladed tools and weapons. Using a sharp tool or weapon results in gradual blunting that eventually ruins the usefulness, as anyone who has attempted to carve a turkey with an old knife can attest. Whetstone artifacts have been found in archaeological investigations of many Stone Age and later cultures, including the Roman settlements of the British Isles. Japan has a long and storied history with whetstones, thanks to several excellent natural quarries and a solid history with swords and blades.
The whetstones used for basic sharpening are usually flat pieces of stone that look like small bricks. Those used for instruments with complicated edges can be more detailed. Sharpening stones can be made from many different types of stone, as different grains will result in different sharpening capabilities. Some whetstones are moistened with water or oil, to help wash off the shaved pieces of blade.
Originally, these tools were almost always made from natural stone. Quarries in Belgium, Japan, and parts of the United States were highly regarded for their production of whetstones. Certain types of stone, such as novaculite, remain highly valued as a sharpening material.
Japanese whetstones remain popular for many sharpening needs. Due to the natural composition of rock in the islands of Japan, natural stones have a clay component which makes them somewhat softer than other commonly used varieties. This clay is responsible for not only helping to sharpen the blade but also adding a shine and shine to the edge.
Today, many people prefer the more versatile synthetic whetstone, which can be made from ceramic, clay, or particulate matter. Many craftsmen consider these new varieties equal in quality to natural stone, as well as more flexible. Some are double-sided with different surfaces, allowing them to be used for multiple sharpening needs.
A popular type of whetstone, called a diamond hob, uses the extremely abrasive chips of diamonds as a substitute for other, more common materials. Diamond plate whetstones are also used to keep other types of whetstone flat. As a whetstone is used, it wears down naturally due to the same abrasiveness that sharpens the blade. Using a diamond plate to even out the surface keeps regular whetstones in good shape.
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