Thread: Dalmore Yellow Hone - Grit Size?

Hi - as a point of interest, does anyone know the approximate grit size of this natural hone? The label on it says

"The Celebrated Scotch Dalmore Yellow Hone For Carpenters and Joiners. SDY stone - Smooth, Fast Cutting. For coarser tool edges or preliminary to finer honing."

I have a man-made King 6000 and the Dalmore Yellow seems to be somewhere around this grit size.

Cheers,
Neil.

Looks like you found the answer yourself.

Yes - I can see how you might think that, but a lot of people say that the King stones stated grit size isn't as stated, so I'm still a bit in the dark failing any good point of reference. Make more sense now?

What I'm really after is a definitive (if there is such a thing) grit size so that I can place a valid rating on both hones. It's only as a point of interest after all - I know where each stone fits into my honing sequence, I'm just curious really! I know that the King is rated by some as above 7000 and by many more below 6000. If I knew what the Dalmore was, I'd be in a better position to assess the true grit size of the King.

I have spent a lot of time online looking for anything that might quote a value for the Dalmore - even phoned the mine (getting an answer out of them is like batting your head against a wall - still awaiting the return call) and haven't turned up anything. I know some members here are in Scotland and one or two even sell the stones from said mine, so I was hoping that one of them could add something (constructive). It would also help me see where the Dalmore Yellow fits in with the other regional stones like the Dalmore Blue (said to be 4-5000), Tam O'Shanter (said to be 6-8000) and Water of Ayr.

I've used the one up from a DY, a DB and it is quite a coarse hone. the DB is far coarser than say a Belgian Blue.
I'd say the DB is at least 4k, but as slow as a Scotsman buying a round

sorry had to use one of these new little people...

Thanks! that helps enormously. It confirms that the King 6000 is well below 6000, too.

Re: Scotsmen and rounds - you haven't met my wifes relative. He has a good reason for not standing his rounds, though - the poor soul has 2'6" long arms but 3' deep pockets. Sad, isn't it?!

I recently bought a Dalmore yellow and Blue combo, and I can see already that I probably won't be a fan of the yellow. I think it's far coarser than a 6k and coarser than a 4k. That may sound good for bevel setting, but what I don't like about it so far is the grit seems to be varied and easily releases noticeable large sandy grit. Like sandstone. I want to try turning out some bevels on the DY just for kicks but IMO the jury's out on that one for razors.

Chris L