Belgian Sharpening Stones: make your knives extremely sharp
Whetstones have been mined in the Belgian Ardennes since 1625. These unique deposits are only found in the Ardennes. The stones are mined from circa 480-million-year-old yellow-grey sedimentary rock built up from clay and volcanic ash with garnet crystals. When using these whetstones, garnet crystals are released from the stone and, when water is added, they produce an abrasive mud.
In crystal form, the shape of the garnet is round or slightly oval (5-20 micron) and is made up of minute facets (Rhomboid). These facets create obtuse angles to each other and it is these corners which are in contact with the metal to be sharpened. Read more about Belgian Whetstones on the Ardennes Coticule page.
