Mailaender “2 Fahnen” Natural Whetstone – Roter Doppelbock | Medium/Fine Grit

This whetstone is a natural stone particularly suited for finely peened scythes. With its fine texture (approximately 400–500 grit), you can use the Mailaender perfectly for fine work on the cutting edge without aggressively removing material. The stone is a natural product and measures approximately 24 cm in length with a weight of approximately 250 g.

The Mailänder “2 Fahnen” natural whetstone carries a long tradition. It comes from a quarry in the Bergamo region, Italy – the same source from which high-quality grinding stones have been extracted for centuries. This premium natural whetstone is handcrafted. Minor variations in shape and edge contours are inherent to the material and part of its characteristic features.

Application

For use, the stone should always be used wet. Store it in a whetstone holder while traveling or rinse it before sharpening. Water keeps the stone clean and improves grinding performance. If the stone picks up dirt during use and develops a smooth, slippery surface (“glaze”), you can clean it with vinegar and a scouring sponge. Afterwards it will feel like new again.

Note on Grit of Natural Whetstones

Natural whetstones consist of rock with the finest, most homogeneous structure possible to make them suitable for grinding. However, natural stones differ from piece to piece, so structure, hardness, and material removal can vary – even within a single deposit. Unlike artificial grinding stones, the “abrasive grains” are not sieved to a defined grain size. Therefore, no exact, standard-compliant grit number can be specified for natural stones. Specifications such as “600–800 grit” are always only rough approximations for natural stones and can be easily misleading in direct comparison to synthetic stones. We therefore deliberately refrain from specifying a concrete grit number and instead describe the grit of our natural whetstones with terms such as medium-fine or fine.

Would you like to learn more about proper sharpening?

In our article Sharpening the Scythe – Peening and Honing you’ll find useful knowledge & practical tips on peening & honing.