Thread: Welsh Slate

Been a lot of posts about hones in general, most noteably the Chinese PHIGs. Anyone been using a Welsh slate? I have one and have had decent results with it as a finisher. Mostly used after a coticule. Since my acqusition of the Zulu Grey, I'm not sure that the slate will see too much duty. Any thoughts/experience with the Welsh rocks??

I really like the Purple LM (Llyn Melynllyn) from AJ to be used with water or with oil...as these are quite cheap stones in the smaller sizes you can buy two use one with water and one with oil...i like the results the ston gives...

The Dragons Tongue from Innigo Jones is also cheap but its for me not playing in a finishing league...

Never tried the Welsh Thuringian or whatever it is known for, the 15k stone AJ is selling so i cant tell...

I had all of the slates from AJ. I didn't notice any difference between the 12k and 15k, which I won't call a welsh thuringian because there's nothing thuringian about it.

They are a cut below something like an escher stone, but much cheaper.

I relegated my purple hone to the tool shop and on oil, but it's ultimately less fine than some of the stones I have out there, too, and a bit slower.

I would consider it a stone to have if budget is an issue, or just to satisfy curiosity. I didn't like mine on slurry, they were too coarse with it, though I've seen other folks suggesting slurry as a way to go with them.

hard ozuku or nakayama koppa would be, in my opinion, a better finisher for about the same price.

I'd also consider a PHIG that has the stretch mark looking things on it to be a more capable (and finer) finisher than any of the welsh stones. The soft phigs are also, in my opinion, worthless. It's a crapshoot getting them if you're getting one only - like all natural stones they need to be hard enough to hold onto their grit because no natural stone has particles that are particularly small in the context of modern stones.

The quality Welsh slates can be great finishers. But you can't be sure if the stone you'll get will be a good one, and I know a lot of people who got a coarser piece. For the same price, I find the Chinese stone to be a much better choice.
Some links, http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...huringian.html , the harder, "finer" dark type was called "Welsh Thuringian", once upon a time (a year or two ago), I'm glad he changed the name, http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...te-stones.html another link about them, and I think there was another big thread regarding them, I can't seem to find.
Also, the grading system he uses with the "grit" is ridiculous, not only because naturals don't have grit, or because every stone is unique, but also, because of the very big numbers he uses.

Originally Posted by Vasilis

The quality Welsh slates can be great finishers. But you can't be sure if the stone you'll get will be a good one...

Also, the grading system he uses with the "grit" is ridiculous, not only because naturals don't have grit, or because every stone is unique, but also, because of the very big numbers he uses.

Absolutely agreed Vasillis!!!

I have just been looking at these on ebay again, there is a guys selling 1 black Dragons Tongue and 1 purple LLYN MELYNLLYN (sorry but im not re-typing that in lower case, i would rather type all this than try and remember the spelling of that to re-type it, besides, i forgot to bring my enigma machine) 8x3" each as a set.
I was thinking of grabbing them to try out on a few knives and see how i feel about them, the price tag is very alluring at £40 (about $70) for a set of 2 stones, both also have a rating in grit in the description, so im wondering if its the same auctioneer as mentioned above.

Maybe it was just the specific stones I've gotten from AJ, but I would consider my dragon tongue as sort of finisher, the edge I get is kind of dull but sharp enough to shave with and realy smooth. it's edges have a bit more dragg force then my coticule but are just as smoth

Originally Posted by Phoenix51

Been a lot of posts about hones in general, most noteably the Chinese PHIGs. Anyone been using a Welsh slate? I have one and have had decent results with it as a finisher. Mostly used after a coticule. Since my acqusition of the Zulu Grey, I'm not sure that the slate will see too much duty. Any thoughts/experience with the Welsh rocks??

I have a few welsh slate hones, some are great and some are not so great as far as finishing goes. You need to work up a slurry first before putting a razor anywhere near them. I use water as oil seems to make the slurry too thick for me. They can be quite gritty at times if that makes any sense, I suppose thats a natural flaw with them as regard particle size goes. To sum up welsh slate has its uses if your looking for a cheaper priced natural, and can make a good finisher if you get a good one. Its all about trustworthy vendors I suppose.

I just ordered the 2 i mentioned above and i think from the same seller as Bram, will be giving them a run on a knife and less than usable razor first. Will let you know my results.

Originally Posted by stev

I just ordered the 2 i mentioned above and i think from the same seller as Bram, will be giving them a run on a knife and less than usable razor first. Will let you know my results.

I don't own any from aj, but hear he tests every one he sells which can only be a good thing. I see from his ebay account he lives about 10 miles from me (small world) might have to buy a couple and give his a try. The inigo jones (I have 2) are crap with a basic finish and not in my opinion worth the price however cheap they are. My best 3 are extremely vintage ( my grandpa's) ha ha and are really good as far as finishing goes. Good luck with yours and hope it does the job for you as mine does for me.