Retaining fine detail when polishing stone

[Simon Brown <moonsong@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Dear Tim,

Try experimenting with different honing & polishing techniques.

I use small strips of wet-and -dry sandpaper glued to shaped pieces of wood,
then rub over honed surfaces with a damp, folded piece of hessian dipped in
oxalic acid. I rub hard until the surface warms, and rinse the acid off straight
away.

Using small pieces of fine-grade carborundum stone cut into slivers helps to
refine a surface to an edge.

I think the trick is careful hand-rubbing.

Simon