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Purchase Item Specifics


Rosetta
~ Matrix ~


Length -  8 3/4"  ~   22.0 cm

Width -   2 7/8"  ~   6.7 cm

Depth -   3/4" -  5/8"   ~    2.0cm -  1.6 cm


net weight -  1.765 lbs   ~  800 g

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An ultra-hard, durable, super fine stone made from an excellent, tightly grained natural source mineral.


Slow cutting, microporous stropping & polishing stone.


High density hone to burnish and give final finishing to hard, high grade steel alloys.



- Ideal when burnishing &/or polishing edged tools, hunting and camping knives -


Note: Will create an acceptable finishing profile to the burr on quality straight razor alloys prior to stropping.



Microcrystalline silica ~




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A note on clay matrix hones.


High carbide steel alloys normally possess what, in effect, is a grid of carbide particles.  The geometry of this is what gives carbide steel alloy its specific qualities.


Regarding clay matrix sharpening stones, the matrix created from the novaculite and binding sediments provides the abrasive contact.



The abrasive contact in turn provides the sharpening burr while honing.


While honing, the carbide cuts microscopically into the binding sediment in order to contact the novaculite more directly.


In this way, the surface of the hone presents some form of mineral grid regarding the sediment/novaculite matrix.


In this way, clay matrix stones provide a sort of geometric advantage is obtained for high carbon alloy sharpening.



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 Hone may be given dressing and kept as an oil stone  -




- Full lapping one side - See listing images -


~ For light cleaning of the surface: 600 grit silicon carbide paper sheet cost inclusive ~



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The pieces are individually slabbed and then lapped using silicon carbide applied to a professional, machining quality lapping plate.

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They qualify into five types:



Premium-Fine Grade:


Very fine, final finishing variety & uniquely clear, hard grain of stone.

Slow cutting stone used in final finishing.


Note on Premium-Fine GradeExtremely tight grain of stone.

For optimum finishing, use on surgical grade stainless steel alloys.


~ Rosetta Matrix are recommended for very hard tempers. ~



Superior-Fine Grade:


Similarly, a very fine finishing type, equally as hard and durable, yet of slightly less tightness to the grain.



Regular-Fine Grade:


Excellent for procession honing, cuts quickly with a specific ease to control.  

The grain is more open, has somewhat less density.


Provides stainless alloys with brilliant finishing polish.



Course Grade:


A gritty type of micro-quartz mineral, quite porous & fast cutting.  

For resurfacing &/or removing small damages to the edge, initializing bevels, &c.


Matrix:


A top grade finishing hone when sharpening harder temper alloys &/or high carbide steel. 

Uniquely suitable for achieving bright polishing & surgical grade finishes to hard temper steel.

Ultra hard, tight clay matrix variety.  Slower cutting, microporous stone.


Hard, dense and fine ~ Sedimentary Matrix Type Finishing hone ~




~  See our in store listings for a selection of clay matrix water hones  ~


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~  Attention Canadian Customers; For combined shipping, inquire for Canada Post Flat Rate Box; up to 5 kg for $20 CAD


~  All inquiries welcome ~



RFACo. Notes on Natural Sharpening Stones.

A 'pure' sample of novaculite would contain SiO2 or molecular silica only.  Our 'Invitica' listings are from this type of geological formation.  Sedimentary or clay matrix novaculite often have 2/3 SiO2 [silicon dioxide] content.  Generally speaking, this is the microporous form of quartzite doing the sharpening.  The other 1/3 is a bonding mineral often known as either Muskovite or as Sericite.".

The 'Persia' hones as fine examples of these sharpening stones.  Black veins occurring in certain hones exhibit iron oxide concentrations in the Muskovite.  In others, bluish patches demonstrate other mineralizations within the clay matrix stones.  Iron oxide is normally present.  Certain matrix stones have higher, more visible concentrations [In Japan, this characteristic is known as renge].  Examples of our “Lochinvar” sharpening stones demonstrate this ‘Iron Renge’ as an orange feathering or what specific examples surface as a pattern of glowing metallic sheen.
 
“Wild Rose” ‘Premium-Fine', 'Superior-Fine', 'Regular-Fine', & 'Select’ stones have been exposed to very high temperature volcanic or geothermal activities, thus giving them giving them an extraordinary hardness.  In specific lots, certain amounts of precious minerals at times occur as small, golden flecks seen in the cross section. This aspect demonstrates both the level of geothermic activity that had once taken place and the actual qualities of their Mukovite mineral sediment.


Often, natural hones are praised because the actual particle fineness is superior to that of man-made and synthetic stone.  Also, the natural particles break away while honing, in turn leading to both longer lasting and more durable edges.  Also, the mineralogy of individual deposits lead to a greater range of specifics.  Such honing creates subtle, distinguishing results, some are more 'crisp', some more 'feathered', certain stones finish well again with the steel of a certain temper, and so on.   Lastly, it is within professional establishment that natural stones do, in fact, harden the edge.

In one respect, one could compare the natural sharpening stone, perhaps, with wild salmon.  Farmed salmon, how so ever indispensable, cannot truly cover the palate so clearly as their sea borne counterparts.  This quality could also be likened to the comparison between enamel paint coatings and the so-called powder coat process.  Powder coating is industrially regarded as the superior, the polymer being put through a high temperature oven thus to create a lasting, durable bond to the surface.

Sharpening-grade novaculite normally produces a range of textures.  These range from those with the appearance of an unglazed porcelain, a porosity of several percent and serves as a good stone for coarse sharpening, to an extremely fine-grained material known for having almost no porosity and as an excellent tool for honing a razor-sharp blade.


About our company

For all types of fine stainless steel alloys, naturally occurring minerals possess many advantages.  At Royal Flint Abrasives Co., mineral specimens specific to the Canadian West are selected for the manufacture and retail of sharpening stones.  Quarried at the naturally occurring deposits and brought into local workshop facilities, RFACo. means to employ sustainable resources of the highest quality to achieve surpassing edges every time.


Royal Flint Abrasives Co.



FINAL TWO (2) PHOTOS FOR DISPLAY ONLY
Note:
 As natural source minerals, items may contain variances and/or irregularities.
Photo set is inclusive as per individual listing description, in effect.
Quarried,  manufactured & produced in the province of Alberta, Canada by RFACo.