Thread: Agate / Greenstone?

Originally Posted by Marshal

"Too slow" is somewhat confusing to me. Most naturals are some degree of slow. Jnats seem to be the exception to this rule.

When it comes to a natural finisher, I'm less concerned with speed and more interested in quality. To say that it improves an edge over a Naniwa 12k to me is fairly impressive. Particularly when you take the price of the hone into consideration.

I haven't commented on this thread in a while, I guess nobody has, but I can't remember the context perfectly because of it.

There are stones that are slow, like most sedimentary naturals, and then there are stones that almost don't cut at all. I'd put the agate in that category, it has a soft feeling and it's more of a burnisher than a cutter.

I think using it without any pressure at all is a mistake with it, because it's so slow that with light/medium pressure, it can probably do a little bit of work and polish well. Weight of the razor use will yield almost nothing with it other than maybe its capability to smooth any roughness left by a prior stone. But it won't remove any visible grooves that way.

I'd call it an assurance stone that follows a finisher (at least once it's broken in - if it has saw or lapping grooves in it, all bets are off as the sidewalls of those things can cut).

So, if you order one, be prepared for it to be very slow. It's like a jasper, but softer feeling. And if someone is bold enough to slurry a jasper, they can cut harsh and deep for a short period. Once broken in, they only cut softer razors and pocket knives and things of the sort. Again, an assurance stone that follows a finisher that cuts.

I am going to dump my 8x2 agate at some point, I cased it, but I am trying to cut down the things that I have that I don't need. Realistically, I could get by from this point forward with linen, leather and an old OVB barber hone, and experimentation with these kinds of edge chasing are sort of out. I think a lot of people who get these will be surprised at their ability to smooth an edge if used with a little pressure, but then find that they're not really necessary (but then again, most of the stuff we acquire isn't, either!!).

I kind of get it, but I think to truly grasp the concept I'll need one in hand to play with. I doubt I'll bother ordering one any time soon though. I'm at about the same point you are with it, I have a Swaty and a strop, and that's all I really need. I'll keep the hones I've collected, but regular maintenance will likely just be barber hones and stropping.