Just unpacked this one - No name as of yet 8 x 3 x 5/8 inches I know it is cut from a Pool table slate I don't know if it was Italian slate like the 9-Ball was Going to do some testing Lapped nice and smooth on the top Nice and flat too The rubbing stone needs a little lapping I like mine to be nice and rounded I love testing new stuff people find out there Before you ask, NO I do NOT use knives to open boxes, I use that cheap Husky and change the blade when needed LOL
Maybe THIS slate will be different than all the other slates... I kid, I kid. Most slate seems to make for okay stones. Some even make for great stones (and some are just duds). Watching with interest.
Getting closer Had some time to make a stand (Dai) for it this morning out in the shop Need to get it Stained/Sealed and get some razors moving across it Hone On !!!
First test razor hone and shave I gotta be honest, my biggest pet peeve when reading these types of threads is the guy that talks all about the first honing and then says "Ill let you know how the shave went later" ARGGGGGGGHHHH Anyway First razor was a finicky Hart that a customer sent wanting me to mess with it shave with it and see if I could get it feeling good I tested the edge when it came in and I had to agree with him it was "Sharp" but just not "Comfortable" this is sometimes an issue with them in general I applied two layers of 700 because Hart tend to be on the low side of the 16-17° angle target The Slate was lapped up to 1000 grit on a Diamond plate I used the Slurry Stone on my Shapton DGLP raised a slurry transferred it to the base and rubbed it in After honing using a dilution to a light misty slurry I checked the bevel with a 40x LED loupe Looked like I had used a J-Nat, found a really nice hazy bevel Stropped in and shaved keeping it simple City of Champions from Shannon's Soaps SilkSmoke Brush Knot Custom Elk Antler brush Lather on the face Smooth easy glide WTG pass and done CCS Pretty impressed with this slate after ONE test hehe I have another Finicky Custom that took a shine to the 9-Ball slate so I am going to try it next I will try it on about 10 different razors then decide if I can send out some customers razor finished on it It is a finisher, now just to see how good
I’m watching your results Glen. I’m thinking about getting a 3 x 3 x8 or 10 x4 x 1.5 (I have a nice vintage oak box for it) blue from Penn Slate. @DaltonGang has one - what’s your opinion after owning it a while Scott?
I like the Penn Slate. I've used it a few times, but I need to spend more time with it. Zero complaints. When I used it, I went with higher finishers after. I need to do a side by side with some of my Welsh Slates, to see which one it is most similar to.
It has to be tested, slate is by it's very nature "All over the place" many of the New Stones out there for sale are simple slate.. Many Sellers don't tell you that, they make up names and providence stories, worse they attribute stupid grit numbers and take your money The 9 Ball slate many of us here own that was released a few years ago might be one of the best that I have tested, We knew that was Italian Slate this one is pretty close
But seriously, I'd check companies that sell pool tables they may need to dispose of old broken pool tables. Also check facebook market place.
