Thread: South African Hones....

I'm a skeptic, especially when it comes to unknown stones, and Jnats to be honest. There's so much counterfitting, it's not funny. I don't buy unknown stones. When I bought my Jnats, I used a well respected vendor, and I got great stones. I'm not a risk taker. So, when I was given these stones to test, I was skeptical, I didn't expect much. I was very surprised with the results. I think Burt and Stefan were as well.

I agree 100% The best stones are well known for a reason, Escher, Coticule, Charnley, etc....As a rule, I use Synthetics, and an Escher to finish.

I was very surprised by the results I got from the Zulu hone. It's a very good finisher. I wouldn't have posted if I thought otherwise.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Anything can be pretty much used to sharpen a blade. Put it under running water for a few hundred years and you have the sharpest edge ever...

I reckon that must be Big Chief Running Water, the semi-mystical master of the stones from Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The other type of running water would rust it up really good...

Seriously though, I agree - that the best hones are known for a reason. There may well be a new addition or two to their ranks, though!

Regards,
Neil

The main reason the best hones are known is also known: they work. My question is what might be some of the other reasons that the best hones are known? I think the answers to that question might expand the knowledge base considerably and make the impossible more possible. And a final note, I truly admire someone who, through research and hard work, moves something from the dream column to the reality column.

[QUOTE=WW243;1042958]The main reason the best hones are known is also known: they work. My question is what might be some of the other reasons that the best hones are known? I think the answers to that question might expand the knowledge base considerably and make the impossible more possible. And a final note, I truly admire someone who, through research and hard work, moves something from the dream column to the reality column.[/Qthese dudes UOTE]

Just think, back in time some dude with a crude knife, and he picks up some rock and uses it to sharpen the knife and it works and his buddy picks up another rock and it works better. Over time folks start looking and keep coming up with better and better rocks to use. They haven't stopped to this day. Of course with more complex society they come up with synthetics and better ways to locate and mine deposits of honing stones.

It's really that simple.

[QUOTE=thebigspendur;1043052]

Originally Posted by WW243

The main reason the best hones are known is also known: they work. My question is what might be some of the other reasons that the best hones are known? I think the answers to that question might expand the knowledge base considerably and make the impossible more possible. And a final note, I truly admire someone who, through research and hard work, moves something from the dream column to the reality column.[/Qthese dudes UOTE]

Just think, back in time some dude with a crude knife, and he picks up some rock and uses it to sharpen the knife and it works and his buddy picks up another rock and it works better. Over time folks start looking and keep coming up with better and better rocks to use. They haven't stopped to this day. Of course with more complex society they come up with synthetics and better ways to locate and mine deposits of honing stones.

It's really that simple.

You got me there bigspendur, that's pretty simple. But just for fun, I'd like someone to comment on the development of advanced metallurgical techniques and geography. If we looked at a world map and pinned the well known mines past and present, I believe that picture would correspond with rapid advances in metallurgy, the kind related to weapons. Today, no one actually needs natural hones, but yes, a small but devoted following wants them, and wants to restore the connection of man, metal, and stone.

Mine just arrived today and it is a beautiful rock indeed. Unfortunately,I'm still recovering from hernia surgery and it will be a few more days till I can get to lapping it and testing it out.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

...but has anyone tried using... something extremely hard?

Well yes but keep in mind that I have very little honing experience, just a handful of straights. Several times each as I keep getting better.

When I was waiting for my first commercial hones to arrive I asked my father, a rock hound, for a flat stone that might work for honing. The stone on the right is what he lent me. He said it was Grossular Garnet; however I think it is a mix of Grossular Garnet, Serpentine, and Asbestos. I was Very glad I lapped it wet when I discovered this. The stone on the left was sold to me as Jade, I think this one is actually Feather River Jade aka Grossularite Garnet.



The Serpentine piece is over all softer than the Grossularite/Feather River Jade. Using a 600 grit diamond plate to raise slurry results in a fast cutting hone that is comparable to my c12k in grit level.

The first razor to come off the Grossularite was the first to give me a DFS. Only the slightly triangular left side of this face has been lapped, due to going through most of a package of 320 grit wet & dry sand paper just to get that far. Interestingly the opaque lite green is softer than the rest of the stone in the photo below.

Oh my, that's a lovely looking stone.

I am too easily influenced. I couldn't help myself. Ordered my Zuly Grey last week. Next batch supposedly ready for shipment in a week or so. Can't wait. Heck, while I was at it I also ordered some French chalk from eBay too. I'll try that for final final polishing, and I was thinking about maybe rubbing some on one a linen strop, or maybe on a balsa paddle. Things can always be smoother and "butterier", right?Right???????