Thread: curious about natural bevelsetters

Both A_S and Oldengarde are very knowledgeable on obscure naturals from your neck of the woods. If they don't chime in soon shoot them a PM and ask them to take a look at this thread. If anyone knows what was available to use back in the pre-synthetic days they probably would.

You guys should really look at that white amakusa i listed on other page...here's mine:

Originally Posted by shooter74743

You guys should really look at that white amakusa i listed on other page...here's mine:

How does it compare to say 1k superstone if you have used it?

I read a thread some time ago about someone wanting to complete a razor using only UK naturals and was searching for Scottish hones. I'm close to an all-UK progression (DT, TOS, Charnley) and wondered what to look for over the coming months to finish it off. Once I find it, I'd like to finish a couple of old Sheffields with them.[/QUOTE]

Cool concept re: all UK natural progression. Sounds like you are developing a nice case of HAD to me. Welcome to the club. I have ordered a King Ice Bear 1000/6000 hone from your side of the pond. From what I gather they last a long time. Good luck in your quest.
MIke

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd just revive this one. Can anyone point me in the direction of any new information on natural bevel setters since this thread was last active?

Thanks.

Try running some searches.

I'm not all seeing, nor am I all knowing, but I don't know of any new information on natural bevel setters since this thread was active.

But with more insight into honing than I had when this was active, I really think you should consider the motives and results. For bevel setting, you want to have very consistent results; if you cannot get a great bevel, you will never have a great shaving edge. Bevel setters are where you do the bulk of your work, and thus where you spend the bulk of your time. This means the stone should behave in a consistent manner over long periods of time (single honing sessions) and should hold up to repeated use (many honing sessions) or else be easily replaceable when worn. These are all areas in which synthetic stones excel. Bevel setters are also the least expensive in each line of hones (as far as I know).

So you should really consider what your motives are for wanting a natural bevel setter before you invest tons of time (and possibly money) into finding one, testing it, learning how to use it, and learning how to make it reliable.

Just my .02.

Thanks. That's good advice. I have considered synthetic stones in the past, but natural stones interest me more for this hobby. I'm not pursuing perfection or even greatness, just a comfortable, relatively close and even shave. I use a Coticule right now, so that tells people I'm willing to make some sacrifices--and I'm considering an Escher at a later date.

I'm curious to hear what others have succeeded at with natural stones in bevel-setting.

Thanks, everyone, for all your help. I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by MODINE

Hi SlowRain,

Here's an old thread. http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...n-kc-crew.html
Mike

Yes, thanks MODINE, I saw that one. I think I've seen most Amakusa threads on the major shaving forums. You have no idea how much work I've created for Google the last couple days.

While I'm at it, has anyone here tried one of those Pyrénées stones as a general bevel-setter?