Thread: Welsh Slate strategies and questions

Wanted to try something new so I bought this 8x3 off the BST page a week or so ago.

This one is the really dark gray/black version.

Touched up an already sharp edge pretty well and the blade felt really good on the face.

So, I'm looking for some experienced suggestions on how best to maximize this hone.

Which seems to produce the best for you, burnished or fresh surface?

I tried glycerin with a few drops of water and that worked well.

Which lube do you prefer?

I'm planning to use it as a finisher only as I have plenty of other stones for progressions.

Do you use a slurry stone or not? If so, for what?

Thanks all!

These are slate hones like Thuringians. I use them with water only. I burnished mine with sandpaper on the kitchen worktop. The more polished the surface the better it will polish your edges I guess.
I bought a set of 3 with rubbing stones. IIRC these are sold in 3 grit size equivalents.

Kelbro, I was about to pull the trigger on that one when you snatched it ahead of me. I hope it gives you awesome edges-I'll just keep playing with my Ark until another one comes along.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Kelbro, I was about to pull the trigger on that one when you snatched it ahead of me. I hope it gives you awesome edges-I'll just keep playing with my Ark until another one comes along.

I got mine from this seller: NATURAL WELSH SLATE 3 HONE SET SHARPENING STONE CHISEL PLANE IDEAL GIFT | eBay

I have a bit of HAD atm maybe I will pick them up who knows

It's a pretty straight forward hone. Mine is burnished like an Arkansas stone, and I use it the same. I use it as a finishing stone only, typically with water followed by slick shave lather. The backside I still have roughed up for use with slurry, but I typically use it as part of the 3 hone set and by the time I've gone from the Dragon's tongue to the purple slate to the black one there's really no need for slurry.

How about adding some photos to this thread.

Ive used mine (purple welsh) with slurry, diluting to clear water and with Smiths honing solution. One side I use with slurry the other Ive burnished to use with the solution to compare results. To be honest I cant tell much difference although I havent used it a huge amount. I like the edges it gives up.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

How about adding some photos to this thread.

Out of town at the moment but here's the listing...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...thuri-15k.html

i was going to ask you what you did to get good result with it so this is a interesting thread. (kind of makes me feel naive though). How many strokes did you do?