Thread: Ohhhhh Boyeeee a new Slate to test

Just unpacked this one - No name as of yet

8 x 3 x 5/8 inches
I know it is cut from a Pool table slate
I don't know if it was Italian slate like the 9-Ball was
Going to do some testing
Lapped nice and smooth on the top Nice and flat too
The rubbing stone needs a little lapping I like mine to be nice and rounded

I love testing new stuff people find out there





Before you ask, NO I do NOT use knives to open boxes, I use that cheap Husky and change the blade when needed LOL

Cool. That reminds me of this.








Not even sure what these tables were but they had 4 of them at this private school I was working at. I was thinking, "MAN! I can't even count in my head how many big ol' hones I could make out of those."

Pool table slate hones are a real crap shoot. When I looked into the subject several years ago I found that only 3 sources/countries had good pool table slate that would function as a hone. Brazil, Italy, and one other country which I cannot remember.
I went for a known performer several years ago. I had 2 very large Dragon's Tongue hones custom cut for me.
They will be sold soon.

Randy

I have tested quite a few over the years from the Welsh, to the ILRs the ones out of Arkansas that guy Coe was selling trying to remember the name Grey something he calls them "Dota Creek" that was it,, he was selling another he called "Bethesda Grey" IIRC
A few sent from our very own Shaun in Hiada Gwaii, a few Dragon Tongues

So far the best was the Italian Slate from Jeff Logan I dubbed the 9-ball

This one feels/looks similar I have high hopes

All of them would get a good shaving edge some slightly better,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Pool table slate hones are a real crap shoot. When I looked into the subject several years ago I found that only 3 sources/countries had good pool table slate that would function as a hone. Brazil, Italy, and one other country which I cannot remember.
I went for a known performer several years ago. I had 2 very large Dragon's Tongue hones custom cut for me.
They will be sold soon.

I wish I was on your side of the pond, because I would have been a taker for a large DT. I juste love the Welsh trio, particularly my very large Purple Llynn, my coti is reaching end of life on the beige side.
Also, I would love a large DGS lol. But in the meantime the ones I have will do

Anyway, good find, and happy discovery to you

Outstanding! Hope this works out to your advantage!

New hones are always fun. Summer is neat and I hope to be playing with rocks again soon.

Getting closer

Had some time to make a stand (Dai) for it this morning out in the shop
Need to get it Stained/Sealed and get some razors moving across it





Hone On !!

First test razor hone and shave

I gotta be honest, my biggest pet peeve when reading these types of threads is the guy that talks all about the first honing and then says "Ill let you know how the shave went later" ARGGGGGGGHHHH

Anyway

First razor was a finicky Hart that a customer sent wanting me to mess with it shave with it and see if I could get it feeling good
I tested the edge when it came in and I had to agree with him it was "Sharp" but just not "Comfortable" this is sometimes an issue with them in general

I applied two layers of 700 because Hart tend to be on the low side of the 16-17° angle target
The Slate was lapped up to 1000 grit on a Diamond plate
I used the Slurry Stone on my Shapton DGLP raised a slurry transferred it to the base and rubbed it in

After honing using a dilution to a light misty slurry I checked the bevel with a 40x LED loupe
Looked like I had used a J-Nat, found a really nice hazy bevel

Stropped in and shaved keeping it simple

City of Champions from Shannon's Soaps
SilkSmoke Brush Knot Custom Elk Antler brush
Lather on the face

Smooth easy glide WTG pass and done
CCS

Pretty impressed with this slate after ONE test hehe
I have another Finicky Custom that took a shine to the 9-Ball slate so I am going to try it next
I will try it on about 10 different razors then decide if I can send out some customers razor finished on it

It is a finisher, now just to see how good

Slate can be a cantankerous material. Depending on the particle size and trace components is can either be worthless or put you into honing nirvana.