Really having fun with this progression + the Landers, Frary & Clark blew me away last week... so decided to hone up some smaller blades. Used the Suehiro “Deluxe” 1k (red) then Naniwa Hayabusa 4k (peach) followed up with the natural combo Coticule (top) and finished on the “Extra Extra Fine” Coticule (bottom). Razors Bottom to Top: Challenge Razor Works “Clean Shave” out of Connecticut... fingers crossed that it is anything like the LF&C CV Heljestrand MK8 Wade & Butcher I know this one looks weird, reground and tapered towards the barber’s notch. The old stamp and the weird shape made it irresistible to me! Happy honing! Tom
It's always a great day when the mailman brings a new stone from Japan! Here's a nice barber-size karasu that's getting the shakedown razors today. The script stamp says 'pure original mountain polishing stone' I think, if I'm reading the script correctly. The rectangular stamp is 'kamisori-yo' or 'for razor', and the stamps inside the wreath say 'superb' or 'exquisite'. Those 'lizard skin' style boxes dated to about the 1960s. A Gold Dollar was first, HHT was excellent. Next up, a user Hayashi finished on thin slurry and a user Filly DT finished the same + clear water strokes. HHT about the same on both so maybe clear water maybe isn't doing a lot on this stone - pot luck though, you just have to test them. HHT was silent at about 3/4" (20mm) root out and silent at 3/8 - 1/2" (about 10-12mm) root in - this usually indicates a really smooth edge but the morning will tell. Cheers, Steve
"Will Bear Inspection" Henry Sears & Son Diamond Edge 7/8. It has had a long life with many honings as it is now a 6/8. Still has a lovely even bevel. "I smell...Bone!!" Simon Pure Cutlery Co. BELL
KYOEI #55. Japanese 1/2 hollow. This was a rehone, because it had been loaned out. I took it down to the 3k and worked up to the Welsh Slate Stones and the Arkansas Surgical Black.
Gold Bug. "Full Concave". By, A.Witte, Germany. This was a full restore. It easily took a pre-Bevel with the Norton 220 grit/1k stone. Then I worked through the Welsh Slate Stones, and the Arkansas Surgical Black. Excellent Edge.
Is this your preferred progression (Welsh + surgical Arkansas?). I only ask because I have recently been enjoying the discovery of Welsh followed by Charnley Forest. Which Welsh stones do you use?
French Gelle-Freres 'Royal Suedois' (Swedish). Like a lot of these old razors from Europe, it had a small frown from decades of narrow hones/pasted strops, so that was removed using a mellow 325 DMT. The rest of the progression was Shapton Glass 1k, 2k, 4k, and 8k, followed by koma nagura and tomo nagura. It got the full treatment, all with 1 mil Kapton tape. Edge HHTed great, shave to come. Cheers, Steve
They are roughly an 8k, 12k, and 15k. The 12k Welsh Slate is Purple. I forgot the catchy names given to each. Here is a link to the thread about them: https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/welsh-slate-stones.52662/ ...
Wow - super interesting - especially the unnamed black slate. I have the other two which were advertised as slightly higher grit - not that I necessarily believe that. I have been using the Dragon's Tongue with a Charnley Forest. I am intrigued by the Surgical Arkansas stones but I have blown my honing stone budget - probably for the rest of the year. Still, hoping to get some time on the stones next week and you have inspired me.
Lakeside Cutlery Co. American Made, Extra Hollow Ground. I did a little restoration on it first. Off to the stones it went. It took on a wonderful edge, from the start. Welsh Slate Stones, and an Arkansas Surgical Black finished it off. Very very well made. The blade was super straight, and easy to hone. ...
S.R.Droescher. "SRD". "Quick & Easy" Solingen Germany Extra Hollow Ground Easy to set and easy to finish . Welsh Slate Stones and an Arkansas Surgical Black finished it. Excellent edge. Straight as an Arrow blade. ....
Wade & Butcher Sheffield , England. 1/2 Hollow Blade A little more difficult to hone. It had a crummy edge, from the start, and needed a lot of attention and blade gymnastics. Upon watching the water being pushed, it was obvious the blade had a slight warp in it, right in the center. So, much care and attention was needed along each step. Welsh Slate Stones and Arkansas Surgical Black finished it off. In the end, it was popping hairs easily. ....
Inspired by @DaltonGang I set the bevel on this Böker Elite with a Chosera 1k, and then moved onto my Welsh stones, heavy slurry to water on each and then finished with a Charnley Forest. It resulted in a sweet edge and I had the closest shave in a long time. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
