Thread: Grandads Hone

Originally Posted by Slawman

My slate hones have kind of a shiny look when water is put on them that oil stones don't have. After I lapped my Slates on my Norton Lapping stone I lapped one of them on my 1K King hone. That Indiana slate is a good finisher. Not real fast but almost as smooth as my Coti. I have a 5/8" Clauss round point that didn't feel real good after my 16K Shapton so I took it to the Slate hone & it smoothed right up with only a few strokes. Not quite as sharp but felt much better on my face. I used Smith's Honing Solution with just a little Ballistol on the slate & it worked just fine.

Slawmeister

Slawman, thank you. I have ordered my 60x loupe and have located some ballistol and some solution. Will probably check with a kitchen knife to start with, then try an old SR8 I have been playing with cleaning up and fitting new scales.
Cheers T

Just mix some Ballistol with the Smith's. The ballistol will turn the Smith's white but it is no concern.
As far as loupes go I found out that it is better to order two or three as replacement batterys cost more than a new loupe if you can find the batterys !!

Slawman

So, what about Welsh Slate? I know they're super affordable, but are they any count? Does anyone have experience to share?

So, what about Welsh Slate? I know they're super affordable, but are they any count? Does anyone have experience to share?

Slate for me has always failed. I can shave off it, but I don't have a single slate that produces an edge that is an outstanding shaving edge.

Thuringian, High end Arkansas, High end synthetics, coticule. For me these stones simply beat the slate without breaking a sweat, And price wise you can pick them up cheap enough if you search.

If you are looking to get cheap rocks to hone on then please think twice. Cheap gamble rocks can pay off but you still need a solid rotation of stones to be able to take advantage of any finishing stone. I would advise a norton 4/8 or naniwa 3/8. The cost is offset by the fact both of these stones can bevel set, and both of these stones can produce a shaving edge. Not as smooth as a 12K but perfectly usable. Once you have a rotation of synthetics you can start to play about with naturals, as you have the tools to be able to fix any problems.