Thread: imperia la roccia

Hi
I found this,brand of hone on internet; says the stone from south America. And the grit is about 12k to 15k. I was wondering if any among you tries this hone for finishing? And what was the result, it,may catch really 15k result? Any idea?

South America?! I thought it was supposed to be from Italy?! IMO it's an okay hone, but not in the same class as the old standby hones like Thuris, coticules, etc. I tested one for another member but after sending it back wasn't inspired to buy one. Especially after they raised the prices.

Pretty much same as eKretz

I did not like all the subterfuge about the source
I do not like when sellers put a grit number on Naturals because they are simply BS, and then up that number as they up the price

I have tried 4 so far at the meets, they are "Meh" when compared to other "Old World" natural finishers.
A Naniwa SS 12k will smoke them for edge quality any day of the week with zero effort


JME with them so far

That subterfuge made it to be one of the few hones I was, and remain, uninterested in purchasing.

A lot of people I trust as I have used their edges have not had flattering feedback.

I agree 100% with Glenn and the guys. My dad bought one cheap--$4.00 and it works best as a bevel setter when used with heavy slurry. I played with it for 5-6 razors, but it never provided more than a really harsh edge. But, like I said, it was four bucks so it was worth trying. Had I paid what the asking price is now...I'd be singing a much angrier tune. Think Dave Mustaine angry!

Originally Posted by eKretz

South America?! I thought it was supposed to be from Italy?!

I think recently they moved Italy to a new continent.

Originally Posted by kcb5150

A lot of people I trust as I have used their edges have not had flattering feedback.

But this is not a case of someone else's feedback. I made my own assessment based upon the seller's own claims, which I did not believe.

I tried every different honing method and variant I could think of, (including using several different razors) and IIRC the best edges I got were finished on synth progression to 8k then slurry with a few drops of glycerin.

I tried bevel set to ILR with slurry; same with dilution; same with glycerine slurry; synth progression to 8k and then slurry finish; same with dilution; same with glycerine slurry; polished up the stone like an Ark and brought razors up on synth progression to 8k and finished using ILR with water; same with water/glycerine mix; same with oil; even tried a dilucot type honing.

The edges were plenty keen but even the best edges were just a bit too uncomfortable ATG for me. This stone would probably be a good stone for someone who only shaves WTG though.

Originally Posted by Utopian

But this is not a case of someone else's feedback. I made my own assessment based upon the seller's own claims, which I did not believe.

Oh, I didn't buy what they were saying either, but my alarm bells were triggered when they started selling them dirt cheap with reduced estimates and once they got a little traction, the price and k estimate shot up. I just avoided them altogether, but I have friends who have tested multiple bits of it and didn't have much positive to say. The beauty of the wetshaving community is things tend to get exposed for what they actually are rather quickly. See what people are still buying and having success with after a year and you have a fair idea of what new stuff is the real deal and who are the pretenders.