Thread: How to use?

So these are the stones I've picked up so far.
I have questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Are they good stones?
In which order would the progression be?
Does anyone know what the tan one with the brown bottom is?
Thank you for your time.


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The India oil stone...probably sideline for use with pocket knives. Not something I'd put my razors on.

The Adoration? Wonder hone...kind of looks like a barber hone. Little bit of research reveals that's exactly what it is, and it got a thumbs up from Modine. He's done a review of a good many barber hones over the years.

ADORATION WONDER HONE test

The stone above that...almost looks like a coticule, but seems more like a synthetic barber hone when looking at the face. Does it have any stamps or identifiers on it?

The Washita is an interesting stone. Typically they're employed at the low end as a natural bevel setter, but I've also seen it noted that they can be used as finishers if you know how squeeze the most out of them.

I'd say buy a good 1K hone. That and the Adoration should be all you'll need for razor maintenance if it's in good shape. 1k to set bevel, black side to polish it up a bit and get rid of the 1K stria, pink side to finish. Alternatively you can use the Washita in place of a 1K hone, but natural hones tend to take a LONG time to cut a bevel or grind out chips. It can be done with patience and practice though.

Don't lap the barber's hones. Just scrub them with soap, water, and a scotch brite pad and see how they hone.

Originally Posted by Marshal

The India oil stone...probably sideline for use with pocket knives. Not something I'd put my razors on.

The Adoration? Wonder hone...kind of looks like a barber hone. Little bit of research reveals that's exactly what it is, and it got a thumbs up from Modine. He's done a review of a good many barber hones over the years.

ADORATION WONDER HONE test

The stone above that...almost looks like a coticule, but seems more like a synthetic barber hone when looking at the face. Does it have any stamps or identifiers on it?

The Washita is an interesting stone. Typically they're employed at the low end as a natural bevel setter, but I've also seen it noted that they can be used as finishers if you know how squeeze the most out of them.

I'd say buy a good 1K hone. That and the Adoration should be all you'll need for razor maintenance if it's in good shape. 1k to set bevel, black side to polish it up a bit and get rid of the 1K stria, pink side to finish. Alternatively you can use the Washita in place of a 1K hone, but natural hones tend to take a LONG time to cut a bevel or grind out chips. It can be done with patience and practice though.

Don't lap the barber's hones. Just scrub them with soap, water, and a scotch brite pad and see how they hone.

I was wondering if that's all the India would be good for. I was curious tho, I read some where that the older ones were believed to be between 1k-3k.
I've read through the reviews at razor and stone. Read about that one and raced back to the dealer lol. I'm thankful that you were kind enough to look into it. It reassures me I'm in the right place . I apologize for not stating that before.
There are no stamps on it. It is very fine and with my limited knowledge it seems to cut fast like a barber hone.
Thank you very much!


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The orange side of the India may* be a decent low grit hone. But I don't really have enough experience with them to say for certain, so for safety's sake my default response is to save it for Pocket knives and tools. You could always run a pocket knife over it and look at the edge, then if you like what you see try a razor and see what happens.

Will do. I have a 30X loop, is that good enough for inspection?


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That should do fine. It's what I use. And here's a thread with a lot of really good reference pics:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ggestions.html

This should help you get where you want to be. Your stones are a bit different, but the process should be similar.

Originally Posted by Marshal

That should do fine. It's what I use. And here's a thread with a lot of really good reference pics:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ggestions.html

This should help you get where you want to be. Your stones are a bit different, but the process should be similar.

Awesome thank you very much Marshal. You're info and knowledge is greatly appreciated!


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The india stone is definitely a tool stone.
It is great for chisels and plane irons and the like, but not so great for anything with a thin blade. I wouldn't even use it on a thin pocket knife blade or kitchen knife.

Originally Posted by BWH1980

I was wondering if that's all the India would be good for. I was curious tho, I read some where that the older ones were believed to be between 1k-3k.
I've read through the reviews at razor and stone. Read about that one and raced back to the dealer lol. I'm thankful that you were kind enough to look into it. It reassures me I'm in the right place . I apologize for not stating that before.
There are no stamps on it. It is very fine and with my limited knowledge it seems to cut fast like a barber hone.
Thank you very much!


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Somewhere the information that you read on the Norton IB8 (India Bench 8 inch) got lost in translation. I collect them & have many going back to the 40's and before. That stone in the photo is nowhere near a 1K, let alone a 3K. ; that stone is in the area of 220/ 600.

Norton did make a fine India that is around 1100 & sets a great bevel, I have a couple. It looks nothing like that stone.

As other members here have stated, its a great workhorse for knives & other edged tools, not for razors.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Somewhere the information that you read on the Norton IB8 (India Bench 8 inch) got lost in translation. I collect them & have many going back to the 40's and before. That stone in the photo is nowhere near a 1K, let alone a 3K. ; that stone is in the area of 220/ 600.

Norton did make a fine India that is around 1100 & sets a great bevel, I have a couple. It looks nothing like that stone.

As other members here have stated, its a great workhorse for knives & other edged tools, not for razors.

Thank you for the clarification.


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