Adam Marr wrote:Or use a synthetic nagura every so often to clean the swarf out of the stone. Only good use for one of those IMHO.
I just tend to use my fingers and a little bit of water to flush the surface and keep on polishing. Even though the stone loads it will still cut. Sharpen until you get a fair amount of black swarf and dark stone surface, then flush with clean water and maybe a nagura, then finish with lighter pressure.
I tend to lap my stones shortly before each session and just allow the normal amount of loading occur during sharpening.
Most polishing stones will load to a degree, but they do still keep polishing. It takes a good bit of swarf and dry conditions to make them stop cutting, so remember to keep them wet.
If you don't have lapping plates or a nagura you can just use another sharpening stone of coarser grit to freshen the surface. I imagine a little square of sandpaper could achieve this as well; either way be sure to get all the coarser grit off of your polishing stone when you are done. (to avoid grit contamination)