Thread: What is it about naturals?

While I was replying to a different thread, I came back to a question that I've asked myself a thousand times and can't give myself any real answer to: what is it about natural stones that is so freakin' intriguing? I have no idea what it is. I've never had any real interest in geology... actually to the point that I've said before, and am a firm believer that, "The gem industry is proof positive that human beings aren't anywhere near as civilized as we'd like to think we are. We are still willing to lie, cheat, steal, and kill for shiny objects." But, you take that same thing, a rock, and make it to where it can be used as an extremely precise tool? I'm almost obsessed in my fascination with it. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it seems like there are quite a few other people who feel the same way. So maybe the real question is, "What is it about me that makes me fascinated with smooth rocks?" haha

Originally Posted by kamikazeproject

While I was replying to a different thread, I came back to a question that I've asked myself a thousand times and can't give myself any real answer to: what is it about natural stones that is so freakin' intriguing? I have no idea what it is. I've never had any real interest in geology... actually to the point that I've said before, and am a firm believer that, "The gem industry is proof positive that human beings aren't anywhere near as civilized as we'd like to think we are. We are still willing to lie, cheat, steal, and kill for shiny objects." But, you take that same thing, a rock, and make it to where it can be used as an extremely precise tool? I'm almost obsessed in my fascination with it. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it seems like there are quite a few other people who feel the same way. So maybe the real question is, "What is it about me that makes me fascinated with smooth rocks?" haha

For me the two main reasons I like them is for the honing feel is very hard to reproduce with synthetic and the results at the end. I could easily get by with synthetics and get similar results but the differences between the two are palpable on the face and on the hone.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

For me the two main reasons I like them is for the honing feel is very hard to reproduce with synthetic and the results at the end. I could easily get by with synthetics and get similar results but the differences between the two are palpable on the face and on the hone.

Oh yeah, I'm totally with you. The touch feedback isn't even in the same ballpark between the two. The thing is though, I'm not even talking about the difference between synthetics and naturals. Let me put it another way... even though each different synthetic hone, even if they're the same grit, acts and performs differently; I don't have any desire to have each different brand's 12,000 grit stone. In the same breath, though... show me ten different natural stones of relatively the same grit and I want every one of them. Actually, screw that... show me ten of the same type of natural stone and I want every one of them. Somebody says to me, "Hey, I've got ten 12,000 grit stones by every manufacturer that makes them; or I have ten Idwal's that look roughly the same." I'm gonna choose the latter.

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

They call it HAD in it's best.

+1 and What Gugi and adrspach said "in your head and you have HAD".

I think seriously it is the endless variety of the natural world that produces rocks makes each one succesful in there individual capacity. It is like taking a walk on your own path in a beautiful setting, the forest, the desert... you pick and you get to respond the the delicate nuances, feels and feedback of each individual stone. There are so many levels of why individuals like naturals and why is one of the reasons that so much information is available here at SRP.
Professionals and passionate amatuers at all levels join, contribute and lurke here probably more than any place I know to get the best information currently available.

I suppose everyone has some similar and some different reasoning here. I like synths and I like naturals. I like the challenges that come from using either or mixing them up. I like variety too - why be limited in scope and choice? I can't say I get better edges from one of the other based on their origin; wheither it was a test tube or a mountainside in Japan. I think - for me - to subscribe to one single channel of thought would be too restrictive. I do find that synths have fewer secrets - but that's as much as asset as it is a liability. I don't hone so much that I would ever get bored with using synths but I do think that the predictability removes some of the mystique that is found when using a Coticule or a Jnat. Not all the mystique - there's alway technique to add into using the stones so there's always a bit of mystery I suppose.
One thing though - looking at a synth on the table is not nearly as exciting as looking at a pretty (highly figured) Jnat.. or Coti. I'm a very visual person so this factors into my story. Eschers are basically boring to look for the most part but they do have their home-spun charms.. labels, saw cut marks, etc.
Lets not forget smell - honing on a Coticule (and other naturals) puts up a certain essence that's not found in any of the Synths I've tried. Some may like it and others may hate it - but I love it. It reminds of when I was hunting stones in quarries with my grandfather back in the 60's. The smell of wet stone is a powerful reminder of those days for me.

Naturals are God's way of telling you you have too much money.

Personally, for me, I just like the feel of naturals better when I finish with them and shave. I like the smoothness they offer, especially coticules, escher/thuringians, and finally Japanese stones. For my face it's hard to reproduce the finish of a natural stone compared to say a Shapton 16K. Do you need them? Nope... you can get by with synthetic stones and a synthetic finisher just fine.

Most men prefer naturals, but the artificial ones are pretty nice too.

Oh, you meant hones. Sorry about that!

A coticule used by the Romans and other ancient blade lovers brings us into the nostalgia of when men were men!

But I don't think that they are superior to artificial stones.

I still finish with my Naniwa 12k. I bet any Centurion would gladly trade his coticule for my Naniwa.