Natural welsh slate

**Wid** · 07-04-2012, 06:35 PM

Is anyone using one of these in a progression or for finishing? If so how does it compare to the other stones you have?

**Gamma** · 07-04-2012, 07:25 PM

I had a DT, and a Purple. Neither exited me very much. The Purple was finer, an ok finisher I guess.
My feeling is that any Thuringian would be better, but the Welsh stones are cheaper.

**paco664** · 07-04-2012, 07:35 PM

I have one.... Love it....
~15k and a wonderful finisher...

I also have a DT and a Lynn melelynn (purple stone)... Both decent finishers but not near as good as the Welsh.....

**Alum of Potash** · 07-04-2012, 07:53 PM

Can't say personally, but one honemeister on another forum wrote most of them off at around 7-8k, with the "yellow lake stone" being acceptable as a finisher, but still, "pre-Escher."

**Nobody** · 07-07-2012, 07:50 AM

I use one often, which is to say nearly every razor since about the first of the year. Seems to appreciate a very light hand and water alone for finishing. Works just fine, mind you the surface is pretty well polished. Results with slurry have been less than pleasing for me but it does cut faster. It's hardly the best thing since sliced bread but does the work I want it to do and consistently which is why it remained in use.

**paco664** · 07-07-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Alum of Potash

Can't say personally, but one honemeister on another forum wrote most of them off at around 7-8k, with the "yellow lake stone" being acceptable as a finisher, but still, "pre-Escher."

i don't know what he tested then.... mine is smooth as glass and has a mirror like surface.....

**Gamma** · 07-07-2012, 11:49 AM

The DT, Purple, and the greenish/black slate are all Welsh slates.
The dark g/b was said to be harder, some say finer. Many have found the different layer/grain/cuts of stone to show a fair amount of disparity, and it was questioned whether or not this had anything to do with the obvious range of performance.
How the stone is finish-lapped seems to hold some answers, as well as the honing medium used. I never picked up a g/b because the Welsh alate experience started to seem very much like my experiences with Chugs and to some extent, the hype surrounding certain brands of razors.

**Nobody** · 07-07-2012, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Gamma

How the stone is finish-lapped sema to hold some answers, as well as the honing medium used.

I'd agree with you there. Mine is smooth as glass as Paco mentioned his was. If a stone will take and hold that kind of finish then I will put it on and for some stones I have that is the difference between "works" and "sucks". Not quite sure which welsh I have. It seems a pretty dark greyish. Remember I was told the name started with "L" and was pretty long. Fairly pleasant and simple stone to use.

**tomjr** · 07-07-2012, 04:46 PM

^+1. I use the llyn melynlln and have found it to be a capable finisher, but others have not. must be the differences in individual stones, i guess. tom

**Gamma** · 07-07-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nobody

I'd agree with you there

I was just relaying what I've read - personally, I found the Purple stone to be plausible as a finisher, not special at all.
FWIW - mine had a mirror finish too, and it seemed to work better when I dropped it down a notch or two - I think I used 800x w/d.

**rickboone1** · 07-07-2012, 04:59 PM

I use my DT from time to time and I love it. It was rated at like around 8, I think. I used it after the 3k w/ slurry, then diluted down. Initially I was going to the LM afterwards but found just the DT was enough. It's got a great feel to it that I really dig.

**Nobody** · 07-07-2012, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Gamma

I was just relaying what I've read - personally, I found the Purple stone to be plausible as a finisher, not special at all.
FWIW - mine had a mirror finish too, and it seemed to work better when I dropped it down a notch or two - I think I used 800x w/d.

Well, different stones, different hands, different pressure, different strokes. We'd need to hone side by side to watch each other and trade off stones for some more. It's a pity we're a bit far apart for that.

Earlier this year I came into posession of a number of slates of various origin, the welsh being among them. I've tortured them in various ways and that was interesting. Like many other stones they gave me what I gave them in an almost zen fashion. Any will cut decently with rougher surfaces and finish better with smoother ones and the 2 functions seem mutually exclusive to some degrees. Of course the B&B motto applies: YMMV!

**trick420** · 07-07-2012, 07:01 PM

I have the 3 stone set. I don't really use the DT or the LM, but the Welsh Thuri™ with oil is my finisher now. It's very fine, smooth as glass. All my razors are finished on it now.

Tom's edges off the Llyn Melynllyn are pretty darn amazing.

**Neurotopia** · 07-07-2012, 09:36 PM

The Welsh seemed to give the same edge as my Cnat, but a bit keener. I toned down the harshness of it with AlumOx and it would probably be my go-to finisher, had I not discovered the joy of cotis. Cheap and effective, not the best but good for the money.

**danjared** · 07-07-2012, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Alum of Potash

Can't say personally, but one honemeister on another forum wrote most of them off at around 7-8k, with the "yellow lake stone" being acceptable as a finisher, but still, "pre-Escher."

If this is the person I'm thinking of (and doubt it's anyone else), he also claimed two years ago that, in the preceding eight years, he'd had over 136 coticules and has only been satisfied by three of them. Personally, I'm not really convinced by any such claims of what "grit" a natural rock is.

Back to whether this rock is good for finishing, it's of course also harder to prove that something is impossible than that it's possible, as any mathematician will tell you. Since we know that some of these rocks are certainly capable for the needs of some, it's a matter of seeing whether there's more variation in other specimens or other users.

**paco664** · 07-07-2012, 09:42 PM

i have had 2 coti's... and i was satisfied by both of them....

**Gamma** · 07-08-2012, 07:27 AM

I think the biggest part of the story is the inconsistencies between samples. Remember - these stones came from a reclamation yard, not a whetstone factory. They were cut by an ambitious man who is not known to be a miner, excavator, or geologist. He is a nice guy and he's really helpful. His slate stones are priced well and no matter what they can be used to hone/sharpen things.

Another part of the story is; what is a spectacular edge to someone, is not necessarily spectacular to another person.

**paco664** · 07-08-2012, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Gamma

I think the biggest part of the story is the inconsistencies between samples. Remember - these stones came from a reclamation yard, not a whetstone factory. They were cut by an ambitious man who is not known to be a miner, excavator, or geologist. He is a nice guy and he's really helpful. His slate stones are priced well and no matter what they can be used to hone/sharpen things.

Another part of the story is; what is a spectacular edge to someone, is not necessarily spectacular to another person.

then again some people are driven by a need to keep their business income elevated and will make commentary and reviews accordingly....

**Danricgro** · 07-08-2012, 12:27 PM

I have the three stone set. Have not touched the DT or the LM but have played around with the dark green a fair amount. So far it has been very disappointing. Has degraded every edge I have tried on it. Not giving up on it yet. Gotta try polishing up the surface and giving it a whirl.

**tomjr** · 07-08-2012, 01:26 PM

as far as coti's go i have 3, all of which i have been very happy with. they all have different characteristics but they all lead to a very acceptable edges. i cannot fathom being unhappy with a coti unless it was for it's size. tom