Originally Posted by
Elon9669
I'm glad to find your thread. I found one, and purchased it without much thought. It was very inexpensive. Not sure if your model is the same, but mine's got a V shaped top, and the bottom is flat. The seller noted the V shape is for single and double edged blades, while the bottom is for my beloved straight edge.
I think the term "velvet" is related to the texture of the stone. I makes me think of a soft brick with less pores. it's feels almost clay like.
I figured "cool, multipurpose!" The texture is almost chalky. almost like a wet brick, but not exactly. any time I touch it, my hands get a small amount of red power on them. Nothing severe, I just think it's because no one used it for a long time.
My straight edge was already sharp, so I didn't want to waste the metal. I did have an old double edge, so to the hone it went. about 50 passes, and the blade was shave ready. I don't yet know how to hone a double, unless I use my palm. I tried it, but noticed no difference in shaves.
Basically, The hone is awesome. I wouldn't say it's like a swaty or carborundum razor hone, but it's good in it's own right. The size is small, but I think my model hone is really more intended for the single/double edges.
Once my razor needs a maintenance hone, I'm going to bring it to the velvet hone first, just to test it out.
I would buy more of these cute little things, just for the size, not yet knowing how it performs on my main shaver. If it really does as well as people say, I'd be even more inclined to buy every singe one I see in the future.