Thread: Lithide Hone

So it's softer than the norton? I don't want to wear a groove in it lol.

Ilija,

I'm not sure, but my lithide didn't hurt my Norton. Everybody says barber hones are really hard, but I found my Swaty and lithide were somewhat softer than I expected.

On the Norton, I just used really light pressure. The lithide worked up a slurry very quickly, and it was black. I did lap my Norton right after, but I'd been planning to do that.

I just did small circles for about three or four minutes per side. It made a big difference.

Josh

Thanks Josh. I'll try it as my Norton needs a lapping anyways.

Well, I've been away from the blade (and SRP) for the last 6 months due to some medical issues and school. I'm finally ready to get back to it, so I started lapping the Tilly hones I bought in June. The lithide is exhibiting the same roughness that others here have noted - It feels about like a piece of chalk. I lapped with 400 up to 1500 grit wet/dry paper...Not much more I can do there. I don't have a Norton and don't really have the funds to purchase one at the moment (which is the whole reason I bought the hones in the first place), so are there any other suggestions on getting it "glassy" smooth? What if I buy another lithide and use it to lap this one?

Thanks for the input.

I tried to link a picture through image shack, but it's not displaying. Their suggestion is that maybe the server is down. We'll see if it comes up later.

http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?i...img1292ld7.jpg

I lapped my Lithide with another smaller one I got from Tilly, it really did not make that much difference that I could tell and it certainly did not get a smooth as glass finish. Still has a rough texture, although it appears to give a nice edge. It appears that the gold specs within the hone material is very common.

I took my lithide that I had lapped with a fine DMT diamond hone and went to the 4 and 8k sides of my Norton.

The lithide didn't hurt the Norton and I then lapped the Norton lightly to get rid of any residue.

The surface was much smoother than with the DMT hone and I have used it as the final hone for sharpening and to touch up razors with good results.

I find anywhere from 5 to 10 very light, slow laps is all it takes to restore an edge.

I still like my paddle better, but the lithide does work, so is suitable for travel and/or bathroom touch-ups.

And yes, my lithide has gold specs as well.

padron and suzuki - thanks for the replies. I guess I will try using the lithide as is and see how it does.

I find the lithide cuts faster and better when you make a slurry with another lithide

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo,

Do you mean after lapping with another lithide, or make a slurry with a second lithide, then hone the razor?

Originally Posted by senorswiss

Ivo,

Do you mean after lapping with another lithide, or make a slurry with a second lithide, then hone the razor?

I mean slurry - I have another broken lithide and can make slurry w/ it

Cheers
Ivo