Thread: Imperia la Roccia 1k Japanese Water Hone ??

Does anyone have any experience with the Imperia la Roccia Japanese Water Hone (1k grit)? I came across it on eBay whilst looking at the more well known ILR finishing hone. I've been wanting to get a 1k hone for razor setting (takes too long on films for some of them).

There are existing threads about this stone, I beleive. Here is a more recent one.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...la-roccia.html

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

There are existing threads about this stone, I beleive. Here is a more recent one.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...la-roccia.html

Right, I saw those threads - but those are all about the IRL finishing stone, as far as I can tell.

What I gleaned from the threads was the company got less than flattering reviews. Why take a chance when there are known performers out there that wont break the bank?
The Naniwa Traditional 1k is in the same price range as the la roccia. The King 1k looks to cost even less.

Originally Posted by benhunt

Does anyone have any experience with the Imperia la Roccia Japanese Water Hone (1k grit)? I came across it on eBay whilst looking at the more well known ILR finishing hone. I've been wanting to get a 1k hone for razor setting (takes too long on films for some of them).

Never heard of those before, but no pics of the stone is always a read flag. Those guys have a rich history of misrepresenting their hones too.

They are Japanese Water Hones now... Cool, morphing rocks.

I pick one up when they were around $20 or so. Lapped and lapped trying to find good surface, never did.

Chalked it up to learning yet again "If it looks too good to be true, it is."

Originally Posted by jmercer

They are Japanese Water Hones now... Cool, morphing rocks.

I pick one up when they were around $20 or so. Lapped and lapped trying to find good surface, never did.

Chalked it up to learning yet again "If it looks too good to be true, it is."

Those are synthetics.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Never heard of those before, but no pics of the stone is always a read flag. Those guys have a rich history of misrepresenting their hones too.

I have to correct my self they have a pic of the stone. It looked like a box with label to me at first, but that is the stone.

If you are looking at these stones because of price, buy a King 1k $20. Or a Norton or Naniwia for a few dollars more. I would stay away from these stones, natural stones cannot be grit rated.

Bevel setting on film is a hassle, especially if you are doing repairs. It can be done, but you have to use a low grit film 12-15um.

Which film are you using?

As Mainaman pointed out, these are synthetics, not natural hones.