This stone was for sale at Sears for $8.99 USD. It appears to be SiC, although the website info has it listed as AlO:
[www.sears.com]
The difference is that this stone is two shades of dark grey, while the stone on the website and described in the packaging is brown and light grey.
The stone came relatively flat, with no noticeable dishing or crowning. It shed grit under use, like a Norton Crystolon SiC hone, which is a light to moderate amount. I sharpened my Wahoo Killer, whose hollow grind had been worn away by repeated sharpenings, after cutting off the edge of the knife. The stone wasn't loaded with oil, and was quite thirsty. I would recommend and overnight oil soak. Cutting and feel seemed to mirror a Norton 6" Economy Stone (SiC) or Norton Crystolon (SiC) Stone, as it was quick and crisp. The edge it left was rather ragged, as it would push cut phonebook paper x-grain on a 3*90, but was patchy when it came to shaving arm hair. A few passes on a Forschner 12" Combination Round Steel and the blade shaved evenly, and was close to hair popping or tree topping sharpness.
Overall, a nice stone, with a ready to use surface for under $10USD at a nice size for most knives.
[www.sears.com]
The difference is that this stone is two shades of dark grey, while the stone on the website and described in the packaging is brown and light grey.
The stone came relatively flat, with no noticeable dishing or crowning. It shed grit under use, like a Norton Crystolon SiC hone, which is a light to moderate amount. I sharpened my Wahoo Killer, whose hollow grind had been worn away by repeated sharpenings, after cutting off the edge of the knife. The stone wasn't loaded with oil, and was quite thirsty. I would recommend and overnight oil soak. Cutting and feel seemed to mirror a Norton 6" Economy Stone (SiC) or Norton Crystolon (SiC) Stone, as it was quick and crisp. The edge it left was rather ragged, as it would push cut phonebook paper x-grain on a 3*90, but was patchy when it came to shaving arm hair. A few passes on a Forschner 12" Combination Round Steel and the blade shaved evenly, and was close to hair popping or tree topping sharpness.
Overall, a nice stone, with a ready to use surface for under $10USD at a nice size for most knives.