Thread: What is a PHIG?

Originally Posted by Utopian

The reason that "they all work" is because you can get a perfectly good shave from a hone in the equivalent range of 8k or higher.

You might be correct but I have shaved off of a hard arkie. Using my finger again it is a little coarser than the norton 8K that I own. It shave good but the aftershave will light you up !

When I started with straight razor shaving the Norton 8k was the exceptable finisher especially followed by a CrOx pasted paddle. I've had three PHIG's, two improved a N8k edge (one greatly) and the other one didn't improve but didn't degrade it either. All the Escher/Thuringian's I've had haven't degrade an N8k edge and most improved it. My Coticule which I've used a lot can greatly improve certain steel more than others ( it seems to like Sheffield the most). Coticules can REALLY vary, I've seen some kill an 8k edge and other greatly improve them

It comes down to knowing your hones and and having a baseline to compare them to, in my case a Norton 8k

Originally Posted by Utopian

The reason that "they all work" is because you can get a perfectly good shave from a hone in the equivalent range of 8k or higher.

“What am I feeling is something as smooth as glass, and I can see my re flexion in the stone.”

So are you saying you can hone on glass? They feel the same…

Of course not, and that is the point, how it looks or feel may have no bearing on how it will perform.

Barber hones are purpose made hones, for razors, under controlled conditions, not surprising they work well on razors… I am talking about the $20 ebay stones that are sold for knives and tools, that many new honers buy because of cost and grit rating, expecting 12k super stone results.

Naturals are completely different, made by nature, under uncontrolled conditions, with random materials.

Interestingly the longer you hone, the more you understand how little you know and how much your honing will improve, once you learn to squeak out the best performance from your stones. A year from now, your edges will bet infinitely better than they are today, without changing stones.

It’s not just the stone.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

“What am I feeling is something as smooth as glass, and I can see my re flexion in the stone.”

So are you saying you can hone on glass? They feel the same…

Of course not, and that is the point, how it looks or feel may have no bearing on how it will perform.

Barber hones are purpose made hones, for razors, under controlled conditions, not surprising they work well on razors… I am talking about the $20 ebay stones that are sold for knives and tools, that many new honers buy because of cost and grit rating, expecting 12k super stone results.

Naturals are completely different, made by nature, under uncontrolled conditions, with random materials.

Interestingly the longer you hone, the more you understand how little you know and how much your honing will improve, once you learn to squeak out the best performance from your stones. A year from now, your edges will bet infinitely better than they are today, without changing stones.

It’s not just the stone.

Yes I am saying you can hone on glass. With all respect to you glass works well. Add some soap stone and it works better. Old timers use to use the porcelain toilet to hone their razors.

Good luck with that...

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Good luck with that...

You disagree with the porcelain?

I would guess some Porcelain might work, but considering it was not made specifically for honing it will be VERY hit or miss whether it helps or hurts an edge. It's never been lapped and there might be small bumps and inclusions that will kill an edge

Originally Posted by AlienEdge

You disagree with the porcelain?

https://images.search.yahoo.com/imag...hspart=mozilla
Sorry I couldn't get the picture to post

Dang it.....I knew I shouldn't have bought a stainless steel toilet.

Those are DE hones, I've got one and have tried it on DE blades, it didn't help my blade but they were made for the original non-coated blades so it's hard to say if they work or not

Originally Posted by AlienEdge

https://images.search.yahoo.com/imag...hspart=mozilla
Sorry I couldn't get the picture to post