Tam O'Shanter thread

[mparker762]

I really like the polish the ToS puts on the bevel - it's similar to the translucent arkansas, but the ToS is faster since I can make a slurry. Once the razor comes off the ToS then a little stropping on linen puts the final touch on the edge and its a smooth smooth shaver.

I really think that the polish is an integral component to our perception of "sharp", because a fine polish reduces the cutting friction similar to the coatings on the commercial razor blades.

[dylandog]

I can't recommend the TOS enough. I use it every day in my honing cycle. I use it after the Dalmore Blue...

Cool, the Dalmore is finally honemeister-endorsed.

...and do a 5/5 pyramid on it and the Norton 8k. I love the edge it produces. You just have to find where it fits in how you hone.

Joe, can you explain the pyramid part? You do one 5/5, or reps? Is the goal of pyramiding with these two stones to couple the smoothness of the TOS-edge with the sharpness of the Norton 8K, and alternating to maximize both without overhoning? Sorry if that's a stupid question. Finally, do you then finish with something else, or stop there?

I really like the polish the ToS puts on the bevel - it's similar to the translucent arkansas, but the ToS is faster since I can make a slurry. Once the razor comes off the ToS then a little stropping on linen puts the final touch on the edge and its a smooth smooth shaver.

I really think that the polish is an integral component to our perception of "sharp", because a fine polish reduces the cutting friction similar to the coatings on the commercial razor blades.

Michael, do you use a slurry right up to the end on the Tam? Or do you wash it off after a while and finish with just water, the way many of us use coticules? I have to admit, though I love the Tam as a mid-range hone, the few times I've tried to shave off it I wasn't thrilled. I may try it again.

Finally, do you use chrome oxide on the linen? Or is the Tam your final sharpening medium, period?

Thanks for all the input, guys.

[mparker762]

I use slurry until the very end. But I've got one of the hard Tam's - without the slurry it doesn't do much. I follow it with plain linen, then plain leather. I've shaved straight off of it and it's ok but not great, but there's something about the polish that the ToS puts on the blade - a little bit of love on the linen or newspaper really makes the edge pop.

I don't use the TOS for every razor, but I've got a Wacker, a TI, and a couple of Swedes that I use it on. If it were wider I'd probably use it more often, but I prefer a pitched surface on my narrow hones, and you can't really do this sort of thing with a slurry stone.

[coully]

Im so glad that you guys have taken the time to review the stones I sell and i appreciate your custom too, i hope in the future to be able to shake your hand personally at the gatherings.

Its very interesting to me how you all have found a place for the TOS in your cycle and many of you have been kind to me when you have purchased one, so I feel more like I know you all.

I have enjoyed reading how you compare the stones with others, that is well cool that a wee scottish stone from a mine in Ayrshire is compared to well established stones from europe.

Many thnks for your comments and opinions, you all are a great asset to the forum with all your info.

many thanks again, simon

[Joe Chandler]

Joe, can you explain the pyramid part? You do one 5/5, or reps? Is the goal of pyramiding with these two stones to couple the smoothness of the TOS-edge with the sharpness of the Norton 8K, and alternating to maximize both without overhoning? Sorry if that's a stupid question. Finally, do you then finish with something else, or stop there?


Yes, that's it exactly. Using the TOS rather than the 4k in my pyramid (5TOS, 5 8k, 4TOS, 5 8K...and so on) seems to maximize the polishing effects for me. It's much less aggressive than the 4k, and cuts much slower, so I get a better polish. Plus, I got into the habit of doing it that way when honing a couple Wackers, which are very hard and prone to chipping. The TOS is, to me the best hone around for those types of blades, because it reduces the risk of overhoning (you almost can't with this stone), and I wound up incorporating it into my honing cycle more out of habit than anything else. So far, I'm happy with the results I get. I do follow that pyramid with a coticule and an Escher, then on to strops.