Thread: Llyn Idwal compared to Whig compared to PHIG compared to Escher

After completing my Norton 8k honing I have been looking for the right stone to finish.
Well I have been stoning away with these.

Rightmost CHIG



Center Llyn Idwal



Leftmost Whig




Til now I have been finishing with a B/G Escher. Fantastic results very sharp and very smooth. My only issue as it is only about 2" wide it presents a challenge holding straight and level and even light pressure on the blade.
I don't have the greatest dexterity so it has to be a good day for me to get good results. Someone with a lighter touch and better hands might better my results but I can match every "shave ready razor" I have purchased using this stone.


The Whig is wonderful as it is 3" and easy to use. It improves an 8k Norton edge. Not a bad finisher but the claimed 15k grit approximation seems rather bold. Such whigs might exist but this likely isn't one. Perfectly capable of delivering a nice smooth sharp edge but I seem to finish on Crox to get it done. I think this stone is capable of much better than I can achieve. Someone with a lighter touch and better hands could have markedly better results.

The Llyn Idwal is very hard and quite smooth to the touch.(I don't lick hones). It finishes quite noticeably smoother than the Whig. Strops up to capable edge but not as smooth as I like so it sees Crox but only a couple of passes. It would make a good barber hone type touch up stone or very fine finisher. I think this stone is capable of much better than I can achieve. Someone with a lighter touch and better hands could have markedly better results.


The Chig is large, hard, and smooth. It is also as fast as my Escher. Rarely needs more than 25 passes to attain the "magic razor edge" I need to ATG.

This one is the keeper for me.

The challenge with naturals as has been pointed out repeatedly is consistency. The general opinion of CHIGs is they are slow. This one is not.