Thread: My New Welsh Slate Stones!!!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

A cheap metal Hacksaw Blade does wonders at cutting groves

i noticed the one that came with my stone is quite big, compared to the one Lynn uses in vid, considering cutting it into two or quarters? got a diamond blade in a grinder i think would do it.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Question is how does one tell their stone is 20k grit if they have never tried a 20k synthetic stone? Or 50-60k grit?
For naturals grit is not so important, it is more important how the stones work and how can they be used to put a shaving edge on a razor.

I agree - grit is not important. For any stone, natural or synthetic. What is important is a stone's effect relative to other stones. Grit, or micron, or mesh, or whatever, are just attempts at numerical measures of what is in fact quite an amorphous and difficult (or at least tedious) thing to accurately describe numerically.

For example, how many times have you read or talked to someone who uses hones say about a synthetic: eg "They call it a 10K but it gives better edges than the Shapton 16K"? What does that tell you about grit as an absolute measure?

My point was/is that all our hones, natural or synthetic, share a common underlying trait: they abrade metal. Grit is just an arbitrary measure (and not a particularly accurate one either) that allows us to rank various hones in very rough order. I think if you take the idea of grit in its true context - as a way of ranking only, and not as a magnitude, then talking about the grit of a natural in fact is not so misleading. The trick is to understand that "grit" is not some universal truth.

James.

Well im looking at picking up the set of three. Currently im finishing on my naniwa ss 10k and im looking to get a better finisher. I have a light touch when honing now but after feeling the finishes on some of the razors ive gotten from other members, i have to get something better. Will these do the Trick?

Personally, I love the edge provided off these stones. I don't have a lot of 'finishers' to compare them too. I've shaved off a Naniwa 12k, a belgian coticule, and all 3 of these welsh slate stones. I Prefer the feel off the purple/'mystery' to the dragons tongue or any other finisher i've tried so far. With that said, i've yet to feel the shave from an escher, jnat, or one of these 'zulu grey' hones that seem to have people talking.
For $100 give or take, I think this is a great set for a beginner like myself to learn how to hone and get a great shave while doing so. If you have the $ to spend, i don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thats not just a Welsh stone, that has been blessed by our druids your blade with be blessed now, & you have Amazing taste to go with a Welsh hone stone. :-)

I really like mine

I just pulled the trigger on the 3 stone set from aj. Mostly for the 15k(+\-) as my hone collection goes to 12k. I had a few razors that needed a touch up, so just for fun I ran them through the whole series, 8k,12k,15k(+\-). Let me say that I like the feel of the razors off the slate than the nani 12k. The only one that didn't perform we'll was my Imp. But I think I let that one go for too long so I'll have to move down the progression a little. I think I feel HAD coming on. Call the doctor!!!!!!!