Thread: South African Hones....

I've been testing some hones for MichaelC, He designed our logo for us, and sells the silkvein hones. These are not those, These are different. Looking at the pics, The hones are numbered 1, 2 and 3 left to right. Sorry about the quality of the pics, I got 0 sleep, and no time, but wanted to get these pics taken. The spoon is for scale.

I've tested 2 and 3, but I've been stuck on 3 lately because the edges off this rock are incredible. I have more testing to do,(stay tuned) and so far have honed Puma's and Genco Easy Aces. I've been averaging about 60-100 strokes per blade. I always use 1 layer of tape. I normally create a slurry with an Atoma 1200, A well worn DMT 325 would also be acceptable. I've been taking blades that are just starting to need work. Blades I'd normally take to the Escher.

As of late, For more work, I've been using the Shapton GS series stones with stellar results. I normally use a
Chosera 1k for bevels, then use a Shapton 2k, 4k, 6k, 8k, and 16k. I have not used the Shaptons for these tests. I've used these strictly as finishers. I feel the #2 stone may be in 6-8k range, but the jury's still out on that. I haven't touched #1, you can see the grid marks for lapping....And yes, they're a bitch to lapp. It actually took me a weekend. Reminded me of the Ozuku.

I raise some cutting slurry, do 20 x strokes, then dilute, then 20 circles, then dilute, etc...I finish with 20 x strokes on water.
Your blade will determine how much work you need to do, like any other hone. To me, It's like a 16k Escher(if there was one) We generally accept Escher to be around 12k. Very smooth edges and very sharp.

The edge can best be described as an Escher on Steroids. Gives you that nice buttery smooth feeling, or "Velvet Squeegee" That's what this feels like to me. I can't wait to test the other two in more detail. I just wanted to share what I have so far.

Very interesting Rich. I'll be waiting for more of your test as I'm always open for a new challenge.

Just what I needed...another stone to buy. Glad you felllahs are on top of it! Looking forward to more information as it's worked through.

Thanks for sharing this, I'd love to hear how these hones were discovered.

Originally Posted by MattW

Thanks for sharing this, I'd love to hear how these hones were discovered.

So would I Matt, I envision Michael dodging Lions, Tiger's and Charging Elephants...How I got them is interesting too...
A mutual friend of ours is a pilot, He flew into So.Africa, (he's from there too...) picked up my stones, flew them to New York, and then shipped them to me...Is this a great forum or what....?

Originally Posted by MattW

Thanks for sharing this, I'd love to hear how these hones were discovered.

And how can we get some? Double O

Originally Posted by Double0757

And how can we get some? Double O

TBH, I'm not sure. When I spoke to him, He mentioned having professional testing done.

Do you know if this hones are commercially available in South Africa? I'll fly out there my self on a Jumpseat and bring some. Well, after you test them and know the right one to buy. Double O

That is really cool. I wish all of y'all well but in the words of a guy who advised me many years ago .... should've listened to him then ...... "If you can't be satisfied with what you've got, you'll never be satisfied with what you have." I've got my escher and I'm.... for once in my life ...... satisfied.

I'm still an Escher man at heart, but they certainly are fun to play with.

BTW: These stones are not commercially available.