Whetstones are non-renewable

I've been researching buying a scythe, and one of the important parts is a whetstone, but unfortunately, this has to be mined from the earth. ("Natural stones are less common than they used to be. Historical demand has exhausted most known natural quarries" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpening_stone#Natural_stones_versus_artificial_stones)

Is there a way to sharpen things that need sharpening with rocks I can find lying around near my house? I wouldn't want anyone to spend their time in a mine just so I can get a nice shave.

http://bensbackwoods.blogspot.com/2010/11/naturally-sharp-by-jim-dillard.html

It can be done, but takes time and practice.

but diamonds are forever.

Most of the diamond sharpners are sintered on , and most of the 'fine" ones are synthetic.

The diamonds don't "wear" much, but they do come off, which is effectively the same thing. It's a pretty thin layer.


More expensive diamond abrasive products stand up better than the cheaper imports.

Synthetic stones aren't that hard to make by industry, so there is little likelihood of them running out any time soon.

Sandpaper is not out of the question to make yourself once you figure out how to sort the sand into various grades.


By the time we run out of sharpening stones, you will have other bigger problems I think.



troy

There is at least one mine in Slovakia (Rozsutec) producing natural whetstones for both scythes as well as bench stones. My scythe stone cost 2€ (~$3). While its true that natural whetstones are non-renewable, I would suppose that there is not any real danger of running out of stone to make them from anytime in the next several thousand years. Only, there doesn't exist much economic incentive to find new quarries of suitable stones. Were there in the future increased demand for natural stones, then there would be an incentive to find/open new quarries.