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A new old finisher
I just received a Welsh Slate hone from the e-bay seller. I suppose it technically cannot be called Llyn Mellynlyn or Yellow Lake, but it comes from the same area of North Wales.
A good friend, Gary Haywood, a man who forgot more about honing a razor than I will ever know, recommended it to me after trying one himself, and being very impressed by it. So for $40 U.S., it was worth the experiment.
The stone measures 200x62x18mm .. a goodly sized rock, with a matching slurry stone. It was cut from the same slab as Gary's stone.
I started by flattening on my very well-worn DMT 325. It took some time, even though the stone itself is not that hard. I also flattened and radiused one side of the slurry stone. I then burnished the top of the base stone with the slurry stone. Verrrrry smooth!
I chose a razor that has always been a great, and reliable shaver. I had recently been touched up on a coticule. I raised a bit more than a misty slurry, perhaps skim milk, on the slate, and proceeded with my usual routine of circles and X strokes. I rinsed the stone and commenced a finishing procedure on plain water, perhaps 100 ultra light X strokes. The HHT, pre strop, was impressive. I stropped as I do a freshly honed razor off a natural, and shaved. I was prepared to be disappointed like I had been so many times before by stones with more highly vaunted names than this. But, I was absolutely astounded by the shave .. I could have been finished in one pass, but I did my usual four to check for face friendliness, followed by the alum block, which always points up a rough shave.
Very impressive, as keen as the best coticule, and perhaps a tad keener, and left my sensitive skin smooth and comfortable. To say this was a revelation to me would be a huge understatement!
My experiments with the Welsh Slate are just beginning. I don't know how much it can really do as far as being a "one stone hone," but judging by metal removal on slurry, it may be just a finisher. But, when it comes to finishing, the Welsh Slate is the "real deal!" I don't know why I haven't read any glowing reports elsewhere .. perhaps because of the low price, but as a pure finisher, this stone will outperform many highly vaunted finishers. The seller pegs the stone at 12 to 15K, an warns not to underestimate this stone. I concur wholeheartedly!
This entire experience has been a pleasant journey for me. Not another "hone of the day," or the "latest and greatest," just an honest piece of slate the does an admirable job at a price anyone can afford .. apparently without the sometimes extensive learning curve that scares so many away from the Belgian coticule.
BTW, I know there's nothing new here .. These stones have been around a long time, but I never gave much credence to them because of the lack of glowing reports, and probably, dare I say, because of the low price.. I've recently seen it called a cross between a coticule and Naniwa 12K, showing the best attributes of both, and I think that description is right on the mark!
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...psd93kjki4.jpg
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I give them glowing reports all the time. I bought the 3 stone set from AJ (I call it a Llyn Melyllyn btw, detractors be danged!). The Dragon's Tongue I've used for bevel set all the way up to an edge that rivals my Norton 8K in polish, and keenness, but with more comfort. As you say, the LM is a fine finisher. Puts a heck of an edge on a razor. But for me what really sets it off is following the Llyn Melynllyn with the un-named Black Slate.
That thing puts an edge on a straight that rivals my Arkansas hones. Especially now that the surfaces are equally burnished to the Arkies. I don't use the purple or black slates with slurry anymore, unless it's on the reverse side and very light. But they truly are great stones, and for a LOT less money than most finishers. I'm sure if you had a mind to you could one stone hone on either the black or purple slates, just might need more than the rubbing stone that came with. Maybe a piece of coticule or set of naguras. But they're a great little set, and can do just about anything I'd ask of them for I think all of 90 bucks to obtain all 3. 120 after international shipping. Not bad at all, and easily my second favorite set of hones to use for any sharpening need - not just razors.
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Thanks Martin103 - those threads amounted to a solid hour down the rabbit hole. Good thing I already own a 3 stone set or the HAD would be fired up. However, I've been pondering how I want to hone up that wedge I finally wrestled a solid bevel on, and I think I just figured out how I'm gonna go about it. Time to dig out the trusty old Dragon's Tongue and go to work!
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i have no experience with naturals (except for some PHIGS which were all bad). would you recommend this to a noob? the price sound about what i want to spend.
also is there a American seller so i can avoid costly shipping?
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AJ on Ebay is the only seller I'm aware of. As far as being newby friendly, I'd say they are. I'd suggest the purple slate. Coming off of a synthetic 8K (or higher) you wouldn't have to fuss with slurry. Just make sure the hone is flat & smooth. Maybe burnished with the slurry stone. And you can use it with pure water until the edge stops showing improvement. Maybe shave lather if you wanted to make it a touch finer.
