John Aniano in Central NJ
Hello All,

Question - with all the recent discussions of diamond plates and how they can be used to flatten stones, both natural and manmade, what items and/or techniques were historically employed to maintain a flat waterstone? Before the late 20th century advent of "affordable" diamond plates. Or open the question more widely and ask how were natural Washita or Belgian honing stones kept truly flat? Was there particular sharpening techniques used that evenly abraded the entire surface, thus maintaining flatness? Was stone flatness less an issue then, or were there other methods to keep the sharpening media truly flat? Rubbing two or three stones together until all were flat? Were reference flats available 200 years ago (I think not!)?...

Thanks,

John