Hi Billabong,

It's been a formula issue and business practices issue. Two batches ago, the stones were overly powdery. The still performed well once the kiln layer was removed but a lot of people were concerned about them. The manufacturer wasn't willing to take full responsibility for the quality, so we've being going round a bit about that as well as tightening up the formula. We've also added a step where they vibrate the stones in house to remove the kiln layer before shipping them to us.

[quote="Billabong" post=4714]wickededge wrote:

Hi Clay.

Thanks for the info, I just ordered some from Howes Knife Shop.

I can live with the powder etc. now I know what to expect.

Really keen to get my name on the list for the new arms.
Sent an email to WE sales, hoping for a reply soon?

Billabong.

wickededge wrote:


Sure enough mine are chalky too, they chip along the edges very quickly and are very light compared to the micro's I also purchased.

Why are the two ceramics so different Clay?
A different manufacturer or process?

Can we expect the new 1200/1600's to be more like the micro's?

Billabong do you consider these to be defective to the point where you are asking for replacements?

Not at all, they work fine so far.
I was aware when I ordered them.

Just wondering what the changes Clay talks of might bring.

edit - Considering the coarse side of the microfines are coarser than both sides of the 1200/1600's.
I can't see why the new 1200/1600's couldn't be the same quality/finish as the micro's are.
Unless they are made by a different manufacturer or process.

The micro fines are of an exceptional quality.

Billabong wrote:


The ceramic process is completely different and they do come from a different manufacturer. The Superfines will never be much like the Micro-Fines which is good since they both have their place. I still love and use my Superfines quite a lot; they're perfect when I want to get the deeper scratches of the diamonds out. If I'm looking to create a perfectly smooth bevel, I use those stones.

any news on whether these are coming back? I see Clay you said it would be at least 6 weeks and that was almost 2 months ago. Any new news?

kmm

Hi Kyle
Kyle told us this past week that they would be in this coming week or the next. Hopefully they'll be here as we are almost out!

nomo4me wrote:


I do now, there appears to be a crack across the surface of one.





Unless this is normal behaviour of course?

No, they shouldn't be cracked... Please send off an email to Kyle with pictures and we'll get you taken care of.