Thread: Tam O'Shanter hone

How hard it is to find these Scottish hones nowadays? I have heard that the white hone is very nice for razors with hardened edges that tend to "micro chip" easier than others. Are they any better than the good Coticules that ARE a lot easier to find?

There was a very nice white TOS in the classifieds not long ago that saw no action. I don't know if it ever sold or not.

They are not that difficult to find, but it may take some time. The white one is the one you want for razors. I have and use one myself.

Better than a coticule? I'm really not qualified to answer.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

There was a very nice white TOS in the classifieds not long ago that saw no action. I don't know if it ever sold or not.

That was mine, it sold to a member here.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

Better than a coticule? I'm really not qualified to answer.

Many rate the more commonly found grey Tam as 6-7K equivalent, while the White Tam is indeed finer, possibly at 9-10K, all being quite subjective, for it does not have a 'grit' as I am sure you are well aware that no natural does.

Similarities to 'the coticule'

(What is a coticule? For the purposes of this discussion, lets standardise the coticule at an 8-10K finisher. 60 laps to finish with water after 8K sythetic; 'medium' speed with slurry after 3K synthetic - 5 dilutions, 40 laps per dilution. Let us not have a separate discussion about coticules, for we know that no 2 are quite the same).

The White could be similar to the coticule in that it may be used as a finisher with water alone, and is (IMHO) capable of providing a shaving edge. The grey Tam is therefore less similar, while most could attain a shaving edge off it, many would prefer further fine tuning with a finer finisher.

Tams, both Grey and White, may be used with slurry to cut at a quicker rate, and may cut at the 4K level. The coticule is known for its ability to do this using dilution methods devised by Bart. With coticules this is somewhat controversial as from my experience with 5 specimens, one green coticule would not cut any faster with slurry, in fact the edge dulled. Others have been very quick to bridge the gap between 1k and final finish. Whether the Tam can bridge from 1k I do not know, I am sure it could with enough time, however I know it can from 3K to final finish.

Differences to coticules

Coticules are Belgian, Tams are from Scotland.

Coticles are shades of yellow etc, Tams are Grey/White.

Tams are MUCH harder than coticules.

I don't believe the most versatile of Tams is as versatile as some coticules - for instance the coticules that are fast enough to set bevels.

I don't believe Tams are capable of leaving as fine an edge as some coticules - certain coticules have been known here to ameliorate Naniwa 12K and Shapton 16K edges, comparable to Eschers.

While I have only used 3 Tams, I have read a fair bit about them and I am of the opinion there is more consistency amongst Tams than there is amongst coticules.

The Scottish hone is more reliable from what you are saying from hone to hone. Kind of like my 12K +/- CHOW (C hinese H one Of W onder), that I have.. you can get a good one, or as Glen has pointed out, you might go through a bunch of them before you find one that works like you want it to. The Coticule would be in that regards, GREAT if you find one of the very good ones, and good to so-so with some of the the others?

Originally Posted by Scipio

That was mine, it sold to a member here.

I think that was me. At least, I bought a white Tam recently, but don't recall who sold it. I was too focused on the hone! I'm glad to have it and look forward to playing with it.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I think that was me. At least, I bought a white Tam recently, but don't recall who sold it. I was too focused on the hone! I'm glad to have it and look forward to playing with it.

Yes it was me who sold it to you Ron! Have you received it yet?

Yes, I got it a few days ago. I like it!!!
So far I have only done a little honing with it on a crap razor without a bevel just to see the scratch pattern under the microscope. I look forward to experimenting with it. I suspect that it could produce a serviceable shaveable edge just by itself.

You suspicions are confirmed - I got a very respectable shave off it. It is by no means the ultimate finisher IMHO, but a great stone to have in your arsenal.

Originally Posted by Gibbs

The Scottish hone is more reliable from what you are saying from hone to hone. Kind of like my 12K +/- CHOW (C hinese H one Of W onder), that I have.. you can get a good one, or as Glen has pointed out, you might go through a bunch of them before you find one that works like you want it to. The Coticule would be in that regards, GREAT if you find one of the very good ones, and good to so-so with some of the the others?

lol chow i love it