Thread: What is it about naturals?

My favorite saying now

"Synthetic hones are an exact science, Natural stones are a romance"

Originally Posted by gugi

Whatever it is it's not in the rocks, it's in your head

It may be the rocks in my head.

I remember when I was a kid we'd get presents at birthdays - things you'd asked for and knew about. You know, like a bike or a Tonka truck or Lego or a Six Million Dollar Man action figure with ratcheting arm and magnifying eye. I even asked for and got an Evel Kneviel action figure complete with motorcycle on one birthday that was pretty cool.

But you know what caused me to almost wet myself with excitement? Much to the chagrin of my parents, it was the 10 cent Lucky Dip. Something about paying the money and shoving my hand into the basket of unknown just sent me off.

I find it is the same with hones now. Yes, synthetics are cool and work very well and are consistent and do a great job. Just like the 6 million dollar man or the tonka truck. You know what you are getting and you are getting good stuff.

But give me a shot at the unknown and the unfathomable natural hone, and I am all over it like a kid on fairy floss!

James.

Originally Posted by gugi

Whatever it is it's not in the rocks, it's in your head

Or another-words you have rocks in your head.

I have a geology background and am a rockhound from way back so that's my excuse but in the end you can get the same result with synthetics and man-mades. That's my story.

I just think it's neat. How's that for scientific and explainable?

Thanks! Now I get to acquire even more stuff in the name of better shaving!

"But honey... I don't have any natural hones!"

Well, the synthetics are an imitation of the naturals. For the synthetics that took maybe one day or one month for someone to make, and for the naturals, it took some millions maybe billions of years to become what they are today. Something that long before human as he is today existed, and possibly long after the end of out existence. Another way I see it is like comparing diamonds with cubic zirconia. Both do the job. And the wife will not notice the difference, the first couple of years at least, but their price is not the only factor. And last, the naturals is what reminds us all the beautiful things good old days had, with the ideal amount of technology . I know, for most of you sounds silly, but that's how I see it.
Also, naturals is a very very good investment. In 50 years it will be easier to find a unicorn's horn than a natural hone of any kind.

Post 16 reminds me of a funny thing the other night,was lapping in the kitchin sink as it was to friggen cold in the shop.
Hones are sitting on the counter top and the wife comes by,she knows what they are used for and that I love them almost as much as her.
her next comment really cracked me up,and made me think,She saidith all of the money you have tied up in those things.why are some of them fake and some real,shook my head and went to bed.

I think the natural variation is part of the intrigue in the fact that humans are unnerved by the unknown and must know what every rock can do.
I also think that part of it is man's need to "conquer" nature in his knowledge, desire to control and utilize it to his needs rather than leave it be.

Rob: if you need my shipping address to dispose of your spiritual burden please let me know.

I was just thinking how we refer to the man made as synthetics but they aren't. If they were what are they synthetics of? Not a coticule, not an escher, not anything really. They are just man made honers. For them to be synthetic they would have to be exactly like the original like synthetic Sapphire or Diamonds. Probably a diamond pasted strop is one of the few truly synthetic media.