Thread: My New Hone

Originally Posted by Kelly

If I had to get one, I'd go for the yellow because the finished shaving edge is more important to me than rough honing, ...

Thanks for the link. I guess what I'm saying is I find both absolutely necessary for the best edge. Something just a little coarse and something perfectly smooth as well.

X

Originally Posted by Kelly

Hey Nenad,
I had given that some thought, but I feel that the epoxy they use to secure the halves together is more than likely stronger than the hone it's self. After this little cut, I can say I am glad I didnt start to split that puppy the whole area because I'd still be sawing away haha...

I think the thicknes of each grit would make it a little difficult to hold since they are only 1/2" in the first place. I see tips of fingers getting in the way or the swell/heel of the palm making contact with the moving blade

Your going to ware down on the hone anyway over time. Water hones ware pretty fast, and with ony 1/2" to start with you'd end up with a thin, brittle little "cake" to hold on to. At least with them together, you'll have the support of lesser used side.

If you split one down the crack, I'd love to hear how that worked out

I think a trip to a stone mason and large circular saw blade will do the job done in no time. And I share your opinion on thickness of the resulting hone... Do couple of honings, and we are waiting for your report

Nenad

Xman,
The Belgians follow the grit of the Norton pretty closely, blue being around 4K and the yellow Coticule around 8K. The actual grit size is larger (5 to 20 microns) but it is their unique shape that provides for a finer finish than the actual particle size would indicate. They tend to only penetrate the steel of the blade maybe 2 microns. The Norton though, at least in the 4K range is probably faster cutting though.

I have a number of vintage Belgians and have found that the matrix resurfaces easily on 320 to 600 grit paper. I experimented with a pumice stone and can only say DON'T. One small loose grit from the pumice will wrech havoc on the stones surface.

If you have a belgian and a little Radio Shack microscope you can actually se the little garnets in the stone that do the cutting.

Tony