Thread: Natural stones

Make sure to get a Tomo nagura with it, ask him to test it on "your" stone first if possible.
Ozuku asagi is usually a good hard stone and as Koppa it gives you more rock for the buck!

Hi Tony,

The Japanese synthetics are different critters from the Japanese naturals. I don't have a single Japanese natural, because I've decided to focus my learning (and spending) on other kinds of hones. Natural hones are always risky; you may read about how wonderful coticules are, but the truth is that not all coticules are wonderful. Nor are all Thuringian slate hones really fine finishers--unless, once upon a time, they earned an Escher label. But those were gentler days, when quality control ruled the earth. Alas, now shareholder interest rules the earth, along with hype and honing fads. Stay away from the modern Thuringians and the Chinese "12k" hones... unlike the old Eschers, they do nothing to earn their labels.

Every once in a weak while, I enjoy looking at all the coticules at The Superior Shave. And I am currently waiting for my Zulu Grey hone, quarried in southern Africa by the same guy who designed the SRP logo. You are correct in believing that it will never end. It might periodically slow, that's the best we can hope for, I think.

Shop carefully and skeptically.

Best wishes to you.

Thanks for the advice my friend- it seems like you're right it only slows down......
Tony