it is kind of a getting to know the hone. some are faster cutters than others some leave smoother edges. some just don't get along with some razors for no conceivable reason. basically it all comes down to them being a naturally formed stone and therefore the composition is not perfectly uniform. I have a purple welsh slate hone that i am still trying to figure out and stone that is from up in Canada that i have been able to get amazing results from right from the start.