Thread: Cutler's Greenstone, is a Legend ?

This is the one I have, http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ian-hones.html
The first 4 photos with the date. I haven't tried to hone one of my razors with this one yet, I always keep them in good condition, but for my knives, the edge and the scratch pattern, it doesn't looks or feels like a finisher. Perhaps I'll give it a try today.

Yes, I've read this thread in the past,at the end I believe Grecian is a brand name of Llyn Idwall.Maybe I'm wrong but this is what I think about.

They might come from the same mine, but, from what I see, they don't have anything else in common. I don't know if my LIs are harder than the rest, something strange since all of them are practically coloured glass, or my Grecian is softer than the rest or a coarser variety, but I don't think my Grecian is novaculite. Maybe something like coticule and BBW, if they come from the same place. It is faster than a LI but if it was this soft and pure silicon oxide, I'd think it would be even faster.

I can't help you because I haven't learn geology, I can only suggest to look it with microscope if you can see some different texture but the best way is always to try to hone a razor with it.

This is getting interesting. In about 30 mins I will use the most accurate and scientifically acceptable method to determine the grit of a stone. I'll try to lick them! I'm putting them in boiling water for 30 minutes, I'm a clean freak. All the stones are burnished from use to their finest degree, no sandpaper 600grit, lapping etc. Then I will post my results. If nobody is gonna do it, I will.

Well, we stay tuned and let us know your outcome.

And yes I lick always the stones to determinate if are coarse or fine, this is an old good trick.

Well, the method DOES work! The key is the speed. The faster you move the stone on your tongue, the better image you have for the stone, but there is a downside, more about it later.
My initial purposes were to test
A C12k
A yellow lake "support genuine labour" label
An Everkeen
A Llyn Idwal
A Charnley forest
A cambrock silkstone
A BBW
A Grecian
A Cretan oilstone, white, without oil
and another two Greek hones.

I started with the C12k VS the Yellow lake VS the Everkeen.
You can count the times a particle hits your tongue, it's like a Geiger counter. With a polished hone, this method really works.
I had brushed my tongue before the test, for ruling out possible false results, and, while I was "testing" those three, moving the stones as fast as I can for better results, I tasted blood :s From the abrasive action, my tongue started bleeding, and I stopped the test. There is always a possibility of infection, the results wouldn't be accurate enough, and it's kind of gross while bleeding . So far, those three are very close, maybe the Everkeen was a little finer than the other two, which is a surprise, I thought they were pretty close but my C12k was a little finer. For the rest, it will take a couple of days to complete the test.