Thread: Long Hones?

I've got a 3" x 16" Chinastone that I mess with from time to time. A couple of things go on with such a long stone. First, lapping it flat is REAL tough as most sandpaper & my DMT is 11" max. I ended up having to lap with a cut belt sander belt & get a new lapping plate. Second is that the range of the elbow movement while honing. If you have to move your elbow...well, I would be willing to bet that the pressure may not be right while honing.

I measured what I would consider my effective stroke on this stone and I would say approximately 9.5-10"...so I would say that for me a 11" stone would be all that I would ever ask for as it would be all I could effectively use.

Lastly, storage and shipping of such a large stone is a total PITA as well.
Scott

Originally Posted by MichaelC

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to find out if any of you have really long hones? I've at some point seen a very long coticule on the forum, but I don't really think I've seen any others through the years. I know the standard lengths were devised as such due to the economics involved (unless there are other benefits to shorter hones??), but what are your thoughts on long hones then? I'm talking like 15-18 inches..
I'm thinking longer strokes equals less return trips which would make honing more leisurely. Thoughts?

- Mike

Well, I love it long, too!

Among the thuringians I have in my collection I only use the 9 or 10 inch ones for razor honing.
But the largest hone I have is a 13-5/8 long and 3 inch wide yellow lake stone.
It's simply a pleasure to hone on....

Originally Posted by Martin103

The stone on bottom of pic is 13 inches long,i would say everytime i use it i do a 10 inch stroke, feels more comfortable that way.
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I would think a perfect size would be 8 X 3 IMHO.

Oh man!! If it were mine It would just be 12 inches long and I'd have a really nice slurry stone.

Originally Posted by adrspach

I do have few long hones. Longest is 45cm long. Do not use them much as they are too cumbersome to work with an pain in the backside to lap. In my opinion up to 10" is usefull however it also depends if you hone in hand or on the table. To hold 10"x3"x1" is pretty tiring.

That ain't a hone ...it's a patio

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Thought mine was 2 1/2 wide but it is 3'". Just 'cause I know some say, "If there ain't a picture it didn't happen" ..........

I've been thinking about cutting this into a 5"..... a 6" and slurry stones for each one. Don't hate me ......

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that's what I would do