Thread: Slurry stones too!!

I think earlier on in this hobby I did not really see the need for a slurry stone. I thought that if the natural stone was any good it would not need it. That led to a lot of disappointing experiences with different types of hones. Escher DB was too slow, Vermio and ILR virtually worthless on their own without making hundreds of laps, CNAT was too sticky etc...

The reason I did not use them also was because I thought it would dull the edge, I could not have been more wrong. Then when I decided to start using them there was some improvement but the Vermio and ILR might as well not have slurry stones because it either took too long to raise a slurry or after getting some it didn't help much with their included slurry stones. Not the case for the Escher DB though, that sped things up nicely and produced a great shaving edge.

Fast forward to now. I have limitless ways to make great edges. Try using a light green thuri slurry stone with a Vermio or ILR..... I really don't think it gets any better than that, IMO of course. But that has been my experience, try different slurry stones on different stones and be prepared to open another world of honing. Universe actually, endless combinations... Try thinking of slurry stones as a catalyst.

This applies to naturals only though IME.

Endless combinations indeed! I have a C12K as a base stone with a bag full of slurry stones. Talk about fun!!! Not very expensive either plus it gives so many options. Now I am committed to Arkansas stones but reading stuff like this i remember how fun slurry stones were.

That's right! My Spyderco UF and Arkie translucent do not need slurry stones and put an incredible edge on any given blade.

My C12K and my soft Arkansas are favorites to use as base hones with slurry. It seems like with either one of those 2, and the right combination of slurry stones, the type of work you can do is nearly endless. On the C12k in particular I've done everything from light bevel setting all the way up through finishing.

I've been looking around and seriously contemplating picking up some nagura stones for use with the Chinese stone. Particularly on the low end, like that yellow one Kees posted about a little while ago. I've got a lot of higher grit stones, but those really are of limited use in the grand scheme of things.

My favorite is a little piece of coticule I got from SRD, but it would be nice to find a more coarse slurry stone.

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

I think earlier on in this hobby I did not really see the need for a slurry

This applies to naturals only though IME.

Are you sure ????

There is Magic in the Mud for some

Originally Posted by Marshal

but if would be nice to find a more coarse slurry stone.

There are plenty out there Norton has a prepstone that I used for hundreds of razors before I bought a 1k

The 400 grit prep stone that comes with Chosera hone works pretty good too

Or, just do a nagura search on that auction site. Many good options, some I've tried like the 8k synthetic and 10k natural. Both from the same sale page. Pick your option or options.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There are plenty out there Norton has a prepstone that I used for hundreds of razors before I bought a 1k

The 400 grit prep stone that comes with Chosera hone works pretty good too

I was thinking more along the lines of natural stones. But I was under the assumption those were made of something intended to scuff up synthetic hones and prep them for use, not to break down and behave like a nagura stone? Might be worth looking into, I've been meaning to get the Norton prep stone for my Norton 1, 4, and 8.

I cut about a 3/8 inch piece off the end of my 4/8 Norton.

Yeah, I've been tinkering around more lately with different slurries (more variables can just make this mind-boggling, but in a fun way). My C12k rubbing stone works great on the PHIG it was cut from (does that make it a tomo nagura?), or on a big slate hone I use for knives. A DMT slurry has a lot of uses, and I've even "lapped" a couple of naturals with my Norton 8k and gotten great results with the silky yellow slurry.

Glenn, I've heard others talk of using the clay "biscuit" that comes with the Chosera 1k for early bevel-setting work or similar, but I've been reluctant to try it. I guess I need to give it a go.

Thanks for the inspiration all-my next honing session will involve "playing in the mud."