Thread: Strop and stone paddle

I recently started using my old strop and stone paddle similar to the one here:

http://premiumknives.com/ShopSite/PK...ne_Paddle.html

The stone is just a piece of slate and actually I got very nice results with them.

I have never read of forum members that use a piece of slate.
I just wondered whether any of you guys tried one and what results you got.

It is actually a very sophisticated thing this paddle because the leather is actually padded according to one German site. Unfortunately I did not save the URL, sorry for that. Mine is a cheaper, non padded version that I bought when I was a student.

Kees,
How do you like the stone side of this? I looked at these when I sampled Jemico strops and wanted to test one and see if it was something the guys would like. I was concerned it would be as coarse as the Col. Conk version so passed at that time.

They claim that the stone is finer than the black hard arkansas. The leather side is Jemicos Russian leather. It would also retail for far less than $89 too if I decided to stock it.

Jemico makes a 4 sided version too, prepasted with more vintage type red and black pastes, a stone side and a Russian finish side. Pretty strops but a rather short 8 1/4" surface.

Anyone here ever try these two? I may have to give them a go and see how they perform.


Tony

Tony,

I just happened to find a cheaper one as well: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/st...ail.html?s=J40

I liked the slate very much. It is softer than Arkansas (Arkansas is not slate BTW) and I am getting better edges with it than with the Arkansas. Unfortunately the slate is only 1 5/8", I prefer 2" or a bit wider. However, I haven't managed to sharpen my Zwilling Friodur with it yet.

At the moment I am experimenting with hones. Eventually I want to own a coticule but because of the variable quality I decided to visit the quarry in October when I shall be spending my autumn holiday not far from it. The owner of the quarry is very knowledgable by all accounts.

In the mean time I ordered this hone from Manufactum in Germany: http://www.manufactum.de/track_flash...Pr.5112.0.html

It is really cheap and a German guy I am corresponding with is very enthusiastic about it. I expect to get it this week and I 'll let you know. I understand Randydance and Ashaab are experimenting with it as well. Haven't heard of their experiences though.

That German stone looks nice. May have to et one to try myself.


If you want one of the Pujab Hones and can't get it shipped directly let me know.

Tony

Tony,

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind. At the moment I am spending and planning to spend quite some money on shaving so I'll keep it on the backburner. Things that don't tolerate the sun like the Punjab hone will presumably deteriorate with time anyway. I presume it is the agent that keeps the slurry together that will desintegrate sooner or later anyway.

To me straights and their paraphernalia are just objects for daily use, not things to collect or fancy. I only buy what I need. I don't think I'll ever own a vast array of sexy razors!. 1st priority is a stone that will hone my Friodur satisfactorily, next thing may be one of your hanging strops (at the moment I only use a loom strop). So I am 1st gonna try the Thuringian stone from Manufactum, if that one does not do the trick I'll buy a kosher quality coticule.

If you need any assistance to get the Manufactum stone shipped to you let me know.

Just had my first shave with one of the razors sharpened with the slate. It was very smooth. This particular razor is always a wee bit harsh on my face when honed with the Arkansas.

Kees,
I too have thinned off on the collecting. I still have about a dozen favorite razors and a few choice stones...an Escher and a large Coticule but like to try others.

I have nearly 2 dozen barber hones I really need to thin out. All are in mint condition but there are only a handful I want to keep. At this point anything I don't use feels like waste.

I will try to order the Thuringen direct, if I can't I'll let you know.

Tony

Originally Posted by Kees

The stone is just a piece of slate and actually I got very nice results with them.

I have one of these, and the stone seems finer than anything I have, including an Escher and a coticule. I don;t think it's slate. It seems too soft.

Originally Posted by Kees

In the mean time I ordered this hone from Manufactum in Germany: http://www.manufactum.de/track_flash...Pr.5112.0.html

This one looks a lot like my Droescher. I think that name is well known.

The Manufactum Thuringian stone I have used only twice so far.
My initial impression is that it is about a 6000-7000 grit hone and slow cutting , much like the Tam O'Shanter hone. However, I was honing two J.A. Henckels Inox razors which have a hard temper.

I will post more on these hones and on the Tam O'Shanter hones in the near future.

I still have not found the magic hone that does it all or gives the perfect edge,

Originally Posted by Kees

Tony,

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind. At the moment I am spending and planning to spend quite some money on shaving so I'll keep it on the backburner. Things that don't tolerate the sun like the Punjab hone will presumably deteriorate with time anyway. I presume it is the agent that keeps the slurry together that will desintegrate sooner or later anyway.

To me straights and their paraphernalia are just objects for daily use, not things to collect or fancy. I only buy what I need. I don't think I'll ever own a vast array of sexy razors!. 1st priority is a stone that will hone my Friodur satisfactorily, next thing may be one of your hanging strops (at the moment I only use a loom strop). So I am 1st gonna try the Thuringian stone from Manufactum, if that one does not do the trick I'll buy a kosher quality coticule.

If you need any assistance to get the Manufactum stone shipped to you let me know.

Just had my first shave with one of the razors sharpened with the slate. It was very smooth. This particular razor is always a wee bit harsh on my face when honed with the Arkansas.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I still have not found the magic hone that does it all or gives the perfect edge

I don't think it's possible. We do so many different things with our hones, and I think the perfect edge is only theoretical.