Inconsistencies?

[mbrossar]

Okay, newbie question. I hear a lot about natural hones being inconsistent, but what really does that mean? Does it mean that two different hones of the same type of stone will not be able to put the same edge on a razor or just that it may take more or fewer laps on one versus the other? If the latter, isn't the same also true of honing two different razors on the same hone (i.e. don't some razors take more or less effort than others to hone)?

I'm just trying to figure out how much emphasis to place on this concern of naturals (e.g. coticules) being inconsistent from one to the next.

 

[charismata]

Okay, newbie question. I hear a lot about natural hones being inconsistent, but what really does that mean? Does it mean that two different hones of the same type of stone will not be able to put the same edge on a razor or just that it may take more or fewer laps on one versus the other? If the latter, isn't the same also true of honing two different razors on the same hone (i.e. don't some razors take more or less effort than others to hone)?

I'm just trying to figure out how much emphasis to place on this concern of naturals (e.g. coticules) being inconsistent from one to the next.

I can only weigh in with my unscientific opinion. But IMO that would relate to the differences in the actual crystals that are doing the cutting (larger, smaller, harder, softer). In the same type of stone from the same geographic location, I think the differences would be extremely subtle. But it would stand to reason that there would be more variation than you would find in a synthetic type stone where the cutting material has been specifically sized and measured to give the appropriate qualities.

As far as giving the same edge and more laps, etc: If the same exact razor, in the same exact condition, would require more or less passes... Then it also seems to me that the two different stones are not putting "the same edge" on the razor, although similar results could be obtained with slightly different technique, effort, etc.

Of course you are absolutely correct, every razor is different (hardness of steel, shape of blade, etc). That is an entirely different variable than the cutting action of a particular hone. But the answer to the question is the same: Similar results could be obtained with slightly different technique, effort, etc.

 

[holli4pirating]

Every natural hone will be different, but they won't be so different that they fit in at different points in a progression. A new guy probably wouldn't even really notice the differences.