Stunning pair!
After seeing the pics @Dilbone posted of his cracked bout, I went back over mine with a loupe. Sure enough there were three hairline cracks,
It took me two attempts with CA to get the cracks sealed and lapped. My first attempt with straight CA was apparently too thick to flow into the hairline cracks so I lapped the stone again, applied a diluted CA solution, let it dry for several MORE hours, lapped the stone a third time and things seem much better. The longest crack is still slightly visible but the other two have vanished. I haven't gotten much experience honing on this bout but I sure am learning a lot about lapping stones - that counts, right?
Maclean I have the exact issue with a stone I just got. Three hairline cracks that can’t be seen without a loupe. They barely catch the blade.
How did you dilute the ca glue?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A little antique store just south of nashville.Where do you keep finding these beautiful stones? Please don't say South Nashville, I'd probably cry lol.
A little antique store just south of nashville.
I lucked up on that one. I found it in a cheap BIN on eBay with some scissors and a few weck hair shapers.
View attachment 870978
I use Bob Smith super thin CA. You want it thin enough that it draws down deep into the cracks. I basically just steadily drip it in until it tells me it’s had enough.
Enjoyed reading this thread, lovely stones. I have a question I'm just starting out with straight shaving, I have a razor that needs sharpening. I was thinking of buying a stone direct from Belgian, would it be worth asking for one which is suitable for a razor, as in being very fine, or is there no way to tell, or are they much the same.
Also does selected or selected plus mean the stone is a finer grit.
Also, what is the smaller size one can get away with. Many thanks
Just wanted to say thanks for your advice and also advice from Christian, much appreciated. I'm very intrigued by the stones and I'm definitely planning on getting one. One other question how hard are they to lap using sandpaper?I agree with Christian, if you order directly from Ardennes I'd definitely specify it's to be used for razors only. If you do choose to go that route, I'd highly recommend asking for their advice - they know better than anyone which stone(s) would work best for your needs and budget. Just recently, @Dcaddo scored two beautiful Les Latneuses from Ardennes so I'm sure he can offer input on how to order directly and what options are available in doing so.
As to Christian's suggestion to try other types of edges before committing to a system, I whole heartedly agree. I decided to use coticules because, while the synthetic edges I've experienced were possibly sharper than I'm getting with my coti, they felt very harsh (almost "hot") to my face. Some people prefer that ultimate sharpness and others, like myself, prefer the more comfortable edge offered by a coti. Still another option is Japanese Natural stones. I have no experience with them but, as I understand it, they can be nearly as smooth as coti edges while also giving a keener edge.
For synthetic honing advice, I'd recommend searching the Forum for posts by @Slash McCoy. He's a huge proponent of lapping films and pasted balsa strops - probably the most economical of all honing systems.
For Jnat advice, @Doc226 is widely regarded as B&B's resident master of that system. Search for his posts or contact him directly, he offers honing service at a very reasonable price. @Jnatcat, if I'm not mistaken, uses synthetic stones for his honing grunt work and then finishes on Japanese Natural stones. I'm sure he can offer excellent advice on topic as well.
**If you've already tried other types of edges, just disregard my previous rambling. Other reliable options for coticule vendors are The Superior Shave (where I bought mine) and Griffith Shaving Goods (synthetics, coticules and a range of other natural stones).
Just wanted to say thanks for your advice and also advice from Christian, much appreciated. I'm very intrigued by the stones and I'm definitely planning on getting one. One other question how hard are they to lap using sandpaper?
Just wanted to say thanks for your advice and also advice from Christian, much appreciated. I'm very intrigued by the stones and I'm definitely planning on getting one. One other question how hard are they to lap using sandpaper?