Thread: How do you use a Frankonian?

I'm very happy with my Frankonian. I had a vintage Thuringian but everytime I put the Thuringian up against the Frankonian, the Frankonian came out well ahead. I recently sold the Thuringian as it wasn't getting any use anymore. The edges I get of my Frankonian are better than I was getting of my Shapton glass 16k. I'd rate it around 18k-20k. Having said that, my favorite finish at the moment is a La Dressant coticule.
And to answer the original question, I use a small keyring size DMT325 to raise a slurry on the Frankonian.

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I'm very happy with my Frankonian. I had a vintage Thuringian but everytime I put the Thuringian up against the Frankonian, the Frankonian came out well ahead. I recently sold the Thuringian as it wasn't getting any use anymore. The edges I get of my Frankonian are better than I was getting of my Shapton glass 16k. I'd rate it around 18k-20k. Having said that, my favorite finish at the moment is a La Dressant coticule.
And to answer the original question, I use a small keyring size DMT325 to raise a slurry on the Frankonian.

WOW!! This is really contrary to any findings I have had with the Frankonian. I definitely find both the vintage Thuringian and Shapton 16K to be superior finishers to it.

Originally Posted by Lynn

WOW!! This is really contrary to any findings I have had with the Frankonian. I definitely find both the vintage Thuringian and Shapton 16K to be superior finishers to it.

HIMMMMMMMMMMMM
i have to agree with You Lynn.
I would love to test johnmrson Frankonian .???
Even i will buy it if it in fact will act how he describe?

I would rate my Frankonian similar to my vintage thuringians and escher, however the Thuringians/Eschers are faster cutters and much more consistent. I would say for someone looking for a barber's sized escher but not wanting to pay the prices they go for, then the frankonian is a good alternative. If you can hone on a small stone though, a 5x1" celebrated vintage thuringian is hard to beat and will leave a better edge at a much lower cost.

Then again I have 1 or 2 coticules that leave just as good an edge as my escher so natural stones do vary and maybe John got a gem.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

HIMMMMMMMMMMMM
i have to agree with You Lynn.
I would love to test johnmrson Frankonian .???
Even i will buy it if it in fact will act how he describe?

You're welcome to test if if you want to pay the postage but it's definitely not for sale. Mine is a big stone. It's 9' x 2.75' x .75' so I'd imagine that the postage wouldn't be cheap.

Originally Posted by Lesslemming

I wonder why there are certain hones where there is so much discrepancy in how people rate it.
(…)

Yeah, I don´t get that as well. This is in fact the first thread where I read that it´s anything but a finisher. Maybe it has to do with the way it is lapped (The Spydercos come in mind).
Or maybe it is the fact that this is an extremely slow hone. Honing feels kinda honing on glass. Even with the second bevel, I use up to 100-200(!) x-strokes. I´d recommend to test the micro bevel thing at least once, to find out, whether this hone brings any further improvement or not.

(Fun fact: I have a razor finished on my Frankonian, and it made about 20 shaves yet, with palm stropping only, even right after honing. Still performs the HHT.)

Have fun,
tok

Originally Posted by johnmrson

You're welcome to test if if you want to pay the postage but it's definitely not for sale. Mine is a big stone. It's 9' x 2.75' x .75' so I'd imagine that the postage wouldn't be cheap.

Sure I will test it. let me know your location and how much shipping will be.

Adding "To be used after the Escher" may not have been very of smart Olivia because Eschers and Frankonians are both naturals which usually vary in gritness. "On average equal or finer than an Escher" would have been better (assuming they are). I do believe Olivia knows what she's talking about and perhaps the first batch of Frankionians that she thoroughly tested was better than her Eschers.

I doubt she tests every single Frankonian she sells, because some need lapping, which woud explain why Mainaman's slipped through. If you're convinced it's not a finisher then you should contact Olivia and ask for a swap.

Originally Posted by Piet

Adding "To be used after the Escher" may not have been very of smart Olivia because Eschers and Frankonians are both naturals which usually vary in gritness. "On average equal or finer than an Escher" would have been better (assuming they are). I do believe Olivia knows what she's talking about and perhaps the first batch of Frankionians that she thoroughly tested was better than her Eschers.

I doubt she tests every single Frankonian she sells, because some need lapping, which woud explain why Mainaman's slipped through. If you're convinced it's not a finisher then you should contact Olivia and ask for a swap.

I never understood that quote either. To me it is just another finisher to be used in place of an escher or after the coticule. Mine definitely needed lapped though when I received it, but I don't recall them being sold as lapped and ready to go.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Sure I will test it. let me know your location and how much shipping will be.

I'm in Melbourne, Australia. According to the Australia Post calculator, registered international post to get it to you is $34.90 plus $9 US Security Surcharge.