Thread: Hone ID ? could it be TOS?

Also in the White TOS are gradations. Between 8 an 12 K. The pressure and the extent of its use determine the fineness of honing.
The Water of Ayr and the Dark blue Water of Ayr are a little bit finer.

Originally Posted by saitou

I'm looking at a Water of Ayr Tam Combo at the moment, so the Tam is generally not a Finishing stone but more of a pre-polish? unless it's the White TOS Snakeskin?

You can get a decent shave of most Tams, and a very good one from the white ones - I have used six or so whites and would estimate them to be near a medium hard coticule. The WoA are always finer - the three I have used gave an edge of around 11k or more equivalence.

Regards,
Neil

I'm not sure if it's just mine, but, the one I have doesn't have the classic TOS appearance with the "dots", and, I have yet to find a stone as fine as this one. No coticules, Eschers or Charnleys compare. It is the second hardest stone I have ever seen after a Charnley I used to have, and, the hardest slate stones I have used are softer.
The edge is pretty much like a feathers. Not harsh at all, but I can't detect the "smoothness" part either. It just cuts. I thought that all of the "white" ones were like this one.