Replies

1. 
   bearmon | Apr 04, 2002 10:02pm | #1

   Soapstone is very soft, which means easily scratched.  I've never heard of anyone using it for countertops.

   Bear

2. 
   Mongo | Apr 04, 2002 10:21pm | #2

   I think soapstone is a great choice for countertops. I love the look of it.

   It's talc-like in structure, so it's a "soft" stone. That said, I've never, ever seen a slab crack. It's stain-resistant as well. It can be milled with carbide woodworking bits. It throws off a fine dust like MDF when milling it, though, so a respirator is nice.

   You can sctatch it, but I've never really heard of scratching being a problem. I've never heard anyone complain. In that regard, think of it like a solid-surface type of countertop...scratches can be sanded out.

   When the stone is first mined, it's a light color, a blueish-gray. The stone oxidizes, which is what gives it the eventual charcoal color. You don't have to oil it...but the oil helps the stone reach its final color faster and more evenly. In general, oil it once a week at first, then after a month oil it every month for several months until it reaches a uniform coloration. Use mineral oil.

   
   

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   Edited 4/4/2002 3:30:54 PM ET by Mongo

1. 
   bearmon | Apr 06, 2002 03:54am | #4

   Mongo, I bet it does look great.  I've just never seen one. 

   My main experience is marking pavers and flagstone for cutting using the soapstone sticks sold to welders.  And I've seen a few of those beautiful woodstoves. 

   I would love to see a top. I'll have to ask around and find one to look at.  Have you installed many?  Must be fun to work with.  Bear

1. 
   Mongo | Apr 06, 2002 08:11am | #5

   Bearmon,

   Always great to see you name on the forum.

   Honestly, how many? I'd guess, 15, maybe 16?

   Soapstone was my top choice for my own kitchen, but I lost out to  my wife's first choice. Concrete. Whodathunkit?

   Personal preference comes in to play, though, as I'm a big fan of charcoal/black-type colors for countertops....soapstone, slate, or carbon-black colored concrete.

   You're right...it's pretty bizarre cutting stone with woodworking tools. The first time at least.

2. 
   scottyb | Apr 06, 2002 08:30am | #6

   remember science class? most school lab tops are soap stone.Man some memories there.

1. 
   MrPita2 | Apr 08, 2002 10:15pm | #7

   Yep,

   I remember freshman year of HS, my science teacher got PO'd at a troublemaker and hit a soapstone top with a yardstick, in lieu of hitting the kid.  Cracked about 30 square inches off the corner of the 3/4"? top.  We were all amazed about the power of his swing (not realizing how brittle the stuff was), and were sure to pay him undivided attention from then on.  All four years of HS, he was accorded much more respect and defferrence than any other teacher.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.

3. 
   SAWright99 | Apr 05, 2002 08:44pm | #3

   Both good answers given so far. It IS beautiful, but I can scratch polished soapstone with my fingernail and can easily gouge it with metal, so a kitchen counter would need careful use and maintenance if you want a blemish free surface. I've also noticed that it isn't fully resistant to stains (coffee), but that might just be the pieces I've used.