Thread: Welsh slates - looking for advice from those with experience

I’ve used my “15k” slate after 8k on medium slurry. Then I’ll clear the stone and spend some time on lather to finish. Hope this helps.

I use the black "15k" stone fairly often and it is a nice finisher, the purple one also is very nice but not quiet as fine as the black one

I assume you are talking about Ebay “Welsh Stones” and not vintage Welsh stones.

If so they can vary in fineness and ability to finish, those I have tried can produce a shaving edge. Vintage stones may be a bit finer.
Personally, I doubt any Ebay stones are finer than about a 6k edge. The King 6k is capable of producing a shaving edge, though a jump to an 8k will give you a much smoother edge.

If you strop on Chrome Oxide it does not matter much and the finished edge should be higher and give smoother shave. How many laps depend as said, on the quality of the set bevel. You want to remove all the 1k or previous grit stone’s stria.

A good method for a new to adopt, Alex Gilmore’s Ax Method of honing, using half laps of 20,10, 5, 2 and 1 a total of 38 laps per side. That is sufficient to set a bevel for most razors, except those with edge damage, if needed another set of 38 should fully set the bevel, look straight down on the edge, if you see shiny reflections at the edge with magnification, the bevel is not set. Alex has several excellent videos demonstrating the technique, often with 2 stones, a King 1k and Jnat. Search Alex Gilmore, Ax Method.

A set of 38, laps will also remove all the deep 1k stria with a 6k king, again if not, another set should do it. Then try shaving with the 6k edge after stropping on plain leather. Now do a set of 38 laps on the Welsh and see which edge you prefer.

Stropping either edge on Chromium Oxide should produce similar edges, 25-50 laps on Chrome Oxide. If you do not have a dedicated pasted strop, you can paste a piece of cardboard, inside of a cereal box.

The 6k King is an under rated stone. I picked up one at a fleamarket for a couple bucks and have been playing with it in place of a 4k with good results often going 1,6k and Jnat or Ark.

I like the 6K King. It's a good one. Bridges quite the gap.