Thread: Dragons Tongue Hone anyone?

I have just received a Dragon's Tongue and a coticule. I've been playing with them and intend to make a post elsewhere with my unexpected results.

EDIT> Here is the thread.

But I have to say right now, the Dragon's Tongue is amazing, not like I expected at all.
I read it was slow. It isn't, it cuts real fast. It seems to cut faster than a Norton 4K, but gives finer scratch lines than the Norton 8K.

The DT is insanely good value. Absolutely stark raving bonkers value.

Hey I had to revive this thread... is this hone worth i tor not?

I think so.
Just lap it when it comes new and unused.

I have used my DT very little. So far I've found it to be a very slow stone. This doesn't surprise me since I have another slate variety (multicolored) polishing whetstone that is extremely smooth but also very slow.

I've honed some woodworking chisels recently using my DMTs and polishing the bevels and backs on dry coticules (works great BTW). I tried polishing the chisel bevels and backs on a dry DT. Of course I was using a good amount of pressure (much much much more than would ever be used for razors). The dry DT glazed almost immediately rendering it useless for that purpose in that capacity. What does that tell me? I'm not sure, but I think even with water, being a slow polisher, it may also be prone after long honing sessions to glazing. Not a big deal, it would just need refreshing on the lapping plate.

Chris L

Okay. Well I'm currently on the market for a cheap natural finisher with character. So i wouldn't mind some extra work. As long as it is a serviceable, smooth hone, which it seems to be, I think I will get it.

They're inexpensive and as someone who has HAD, I'm glad I own one. Can you shave off the DT without going to any higher stone? I've tried this once so far, and it's possible. The shave was not up to my standards, but it did create a lower end of the spectrum shavable edge for me.

Chris L

I still think the DT is so cheap it's worth getting, but I'm not sure how to use it in a progression. I've used it twice as the finisher, and it has reduced sharpness. It still shaves, but I need 3 or 4 passes to catch all hairs. On the plus side I get no irritation, and seem unable to give myself cuts or nicks! As I've said elsewhere, could be perfect if you are shaving someone else!

Trouble is as always finding the time to experiment and shave. The loss of sharpness could just be down to my user error, it is narrower than most of my hones.

Originally Posted by 0livia

I think so.
Just lap it when it comes new and unused.

Lap with what? and what lapping grid?
s2m3n

I don't think this is similar to the WOA. The WOA is a fiisher and this one is not. You can shave off the DT, but it's maybe 6-8k. I lapped mine with a DMT-C (325 grit I think) and then with a Spyderco medium to remove scratches. Any medium/fine, hard hone will work to remove the scratches, or you could use progressively finer wet/dry sandpaper.

The WoA is a little more fine, not that much more though. The DT is OK, but I would do a little more polishing after the DT with a pasted strop.