How small can hones get?

I have this adorable little hone I got off ebay (don't worry, it was only $4) awhile ago. I, however, did not think it was going to be THIS tiny.
Anyway, it is baked clay and it does seem to actually have been used before.
Also, the bottom is as flat as it can get if it be used that way either.

Is it possible to use this efficiently?

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8530/img0001ia.th.jpghttp://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8598/img0004vz.th.jpghttp://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3518/img0007oj.th.jpg

Thanks,
Brandon

It'd be tricky as hell to hone a razor with that thing, considering the valley in the middle and all.

The bottom is very flat ans smooth if it matters.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6665/img0026q.th.jpg

I have one like it. The flat side will work for straight razors, but mine is rather coarse.

Those were supposed to be for DE blades. I have a couple I picked up in ebay lots. I think they are bit too small for someone of my skill level to hone with.

The "Lithide" hone is a dual purpose fine grit DE blade/straight razor hone similar in appearance to the dual purpose hone you've posted pictures of here.

I owned a Lithide for a time but sold it. It was too small for me to effectively hone a straight on. I do recall that some had tried with success?

Chris L

Thanks for the info! Also, say I want to touch up on my straight razors; using the flat side of the hone, what should the technique be? Should I wet the hone at all? I'm only asking because I really can't find any information on this hone.

Thanks again

Water on the flat side. You'll want to try an X pattern stroke.

Chris L

I've used one successfully (flat side) after the 1200 stage. Mine is around 4-7k. Not my first choice for a straight razor, but usable in it's own grit range. Mine is 2 7/16" x 1 11/16", is very soft, and lapped up very fast. Fun to play with.

I've used water or lather.

Great, I'll give it a shot!

I have Daybrook the same size and configuration that's about 8K. Works great with water, X pattern and some patience.

On small hones, circles may be effective. You can slide from toe to heal and back to get equal time/number of circles on all parts of the razor. One note, it can be hard to keep just the toe of the razor flat if you are new to honing, so be careful not to drive the edge of the razor into the edge of the hone if you try this method.

if its any encouragement I touched up a razor using a 1"x .5" slurry stone the other day. Wasn't fast or easy but it worked lol