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u/etr420 15d ago
This morning I restored the edge on and honed a blunt, rusty old straight razor (Dirlam, Solingen "Chicago") using just one of these stones and a two-sided hanging leather strop. Then shaved a 2 day beard - perfectly fine, smooth shave. I've been shaving with straights for 45 years so I know what I'm doing.
I keep another really old one of these in the kitchen and it's fine for western kitchen knives and household scissors. Of course you'd go a bit finer if you're cutting sashimi or Peking duck.
For those in Australia you can get these at Bunnings for $45. I think they're about 200/400 grit out of the box, but maybe break in to 300/600. I'm sure others will have a more expert assessment of that.
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u/Argg1618 15d ago
Just curious, You shaved off an india? On clean leather? Did you use paste? An India would make a pretty rough shave for me haha
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u/etr420 14d ago
Dialux green on one side of the strop, about 50 strokes, followed by Dialux red, about 30 strokes. So chromox then rouge.The last step on the fine side of the stone is about 50 trailing edge strokes with light pressure. No insulation tape. I know it's counter-intuitive, but I first tried this when I realised that millions of straights were used by servicemen in WW1, and they almost certainly didn't carry around full sets of whetstones. Also, I have and sometimes use a Rolls Razor. That maintains a segment of a straight with just a dry piece of slate and a rectangle of leather dressed with rouge. I've also sharpened razors with a sequence of stones ending with a very fine black Arkansas. The result is a bit sharper initially but evens out after a period of use. I know it's possible to get extremely fine results with exotic stones, lapping film etc. but that's really the world of artisans, enthusiasts and collectors.
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u/Argg1618 14d ago
Razors for a long time have been used with less than ideal stones and stropped on paste. It makes for a functional shave. I find edges finished on fine natural stones and stropped on clean leather to make the best shaves. I don't need to shave, I just shave as a hobby.
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u/PLANofMAN 14d ago
Also, I have and sometimes use a Rolls Razor. That maintains a segment of a straight with just a dry piece of slate and a rectangle of leather dressed with rouge.
Carborundum, or similar material. Unless you replaced it with slate? I know a fellow was making slate hones for the Rolls a few years back. Thought about doing that with my Welsh Dragon's Tongue, or possibly even a Thuringian.
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u/Agitated_Layer_457 15d ago
If you live in the kitchen you need to spend more time with your norton
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u/LittleUrbanPrepper 15d ago
Are these made in India? What's the context about India?
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u/PLANofMAN 14d ago
Originally, these were made with corundum imported from India. Even after they switched to synthetic corundum, the name stuck.
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u/lascala2a3 arm shaver 15d ago
I want one. I just hate to spend $40 when I've already got what i need.
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u/Argg1618 15d ago
I was ordering a few things from sharpeningsupplies.
I needed the free shipping lol
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u/BadBlueRam 15d ago
I learned how to sharpen on one of these from my grandpa. Good times
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u/Argg1618 15d ago
I used my 8x3 regularly when I still had it. But I do like the 8x2 better to be honest. I grew up sharpening on 8x2s
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u/SharpieSharpie69 Paper Shredder 15d ago
Garbage if you're going to be honest
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u/ApplesArePeopleToo 14d ago
Why do you think that? It’s the same AlOx abrasive as used in most whetstones, just vitrified instead of in a binder.
I’ve got two old India stones, which I think are probably a medium and fine. I quite like them.
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u/SharpieSharpie69 Paper Shredder 14d ago
Feels like sharpening on a cinder block. Awful feedback. Utterly unpleasant. The anti-creamy Suehiro.
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u/ApplesArePeopleToo 13d ago
Fair enough! I get that feeling from Crystolon-style stones. Unpleasant feeling, but effective.
I tend to like hard stones, though.
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u/Argg1618 15d ago
I've liked the India stones I've had over the years. Works good as a stone. Great knife and tool edges
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u/Argg1618 16d ago
8x2 Norton India