Are you sure that is a LI? From the reddish blush on the sides I'd have guessed that a Charnley. But it might just be the photo. Either way, looks nice. Good size too.
Llyn Idwal/Grecian/Charnley—A Outstanding Finisher-And Looks As Good As It Hones
- Thread starter timwcic
- Start date
Thanks. The seller says LI, but who knows? I will send photos when I receive the stone.
As long as it works, I will be happy!
Yeah. From my experience they are fairly similar to use. If it does end up being a CF you win, since those seem to sell for a higher price, usually.
I think it is probably an Idwal from that pic. Thick 9x2s were a reasonably common size for them.
Good news in terms of razor honing is that I’ve had quite a few in that cut over the last 6 or 8 months, and they’ve all been finishing level (less good for knives). Yours there looks a very nice consistent example, and I imagine will be very good.
Not saying this is always the case but, based on eBay seller descriptions, rectangular green tend to be LI, and canoe-shaped green with red tend to CF.
At least that's what I have seen.
At least that's what I have seen.
It is actually quite a good rule of thumb tbh.
I don't think I've ever had a canoe shaped Idwal, at least not that I can remember. Though you do get the occasional rectangular Charnley, probably slightly more recent ones.
Here are some pictures of Idwals I have on me atm, which may be of interest.
This is a stone I made into a combi with a coti, it isn't the finest grained Idwal in the world, the coticule side of this stone (which is lovely) is probably the side I will finish on.
These two larger stones by contrast are very definitely finishing level. The 9x2 on the right in particular is probably the purest, most consistent Idwal I've ever had.
These two stones are Grecian Hones, the one on the left is labelled. Grecians are a little bit different in feel and use to other Idwals. These finish a little lower than the two above, the feedback is nicer, softer, and they're quite fast. I particularly like them for fine but bitey knife edges.
This is a stone I made into a combi with a coti, it isn't the finest grained Idwal in the world, the coticule side of this stone (which is lovely) is probably the side I will finish on.
These two larger stones by contrast are very definitely finishing level. The 9x2 on the right in particular is probably the purest, most consistent Idwal I've ever had.
These two stones are Grecian Hones, the one on the left is labelled. Grecians are a little bit different in feel and use to other Idwals. These finish a little lower than the two above, the feedback is nicer, softer, and they're quite fast. I particularly like them for fine but bitey knife edges.
The patterning looks like my green Vermont, but I've got a novaculite that fractures like slate but it def novaculite. I think it's a Lynn Idwal and will leave a very literal razors edge with Tam slurry. If I put a little time on it, it'll silently hht root in beard hair. Very pretty stone you got.
Another gunked up mystery stone (educated) guess pays off. I could tell from the pics it was natural, but wasn’t sure what type. I was betting a CF, turned out to be an Idwal.
I took one last dive into the junk store broken, gunk covered hone chunks bucket and fished out this. I think it is a hunk of Idwal. If so, it is going to be a PITA to lap. I don’t think I want to think about it.
I ordered this Llyn Idwal from a seller in the UK on Saturday. FedEx received the stone on Monday and the stone arrived my house in NJ today (Tuesday) before 12:00 Noon. Not bad, right?
Here is a photo of the stone as it arrived - rougher side up. After dinner, I cleaned the stone using Simple Green with paper towels. Next step is to lap the sucker using SIC powder.
Here is a photo of the stone as it arrived - rougher side up. After dinner, I cleaned the stone using Simple Green with paper towels. Next step is to lap the sucker using SIC powder.
That was super quick.
Did you have a look at those side marks that looked a little red in the sellers photos?
Well, it ain’t an Idwal. 60 grit SIC melted it like a yellow/green Escher.
Another mystery stone….
I am still waiting to examine the clean stone under natural light. The dark (possibly) red streaks on the sides of the stone are even more pronounced on the other side of the stone. Look like mineral deposits (inclusions) to me - feel smooth.
I will post more photos after I lap the stone. May not be until this weekend.
I have only used SIC powder with 6 x 2 stones. I sprinkled the SIC onto a 9 x 11 sheet of wet/dry sandpaper on a larger flat piece of marble.
My LI stone is 9 inches long. In theory, it should fit on a piece of sandpaper with 1 inch to spare on the top and bottom. I have read about people lapping on pieces of glass and metal cookie sheets.
Any difference between using a piece of glass or cookie sheet?
My LI stone is 9 inches long. In theory, it should fit on a piece of sandpaper with 1 inch to spare on the top and bottom. I have read about people lapping on pieces of glass and metal cookie sheets.
Any difference between using a piece of glass or cookie sheet?
The glass is more because it is easily available and flat. That works well when you are laying down some sandpaper on top.
The cookie sheet is more when you are using loose SIC powder on the surface, as SIC will grind away glass, and eventually dish it. A metal sheet will stay flat longer.
Personally I just use the SIC on the glass, and when it starts to wear out I throw it away and get another piece. Bits of glass are easy to come by. The other day a neighbour had a small coffee table out front they were throwing away, so I salvaged the glass top. That sort of thing is free and it works fine.
Lapped the Llyn Idwal today using SIC powder. Spent almost three hours using 120-grit, and one hour using 220, 320 and 500-grit.
Bought a sheet of glass from the Depot for $5.00.
Ready to go - glass sheet on top of a marble slab.
Getting there using 120-grit.
Almost there.
The better side after 120-grit.
The rougher side after 120-grit.
The better side after 220, 320 and 500-grit. Amazing how the color of the stone darkened as the grit size decreased.
Bought a sheet of glass from the Depot for $5.00.
Ready to go - glass sheet on top of a marble slab.
Getting there using 120-grit.
Almost there.
The better side after 120-grit.
The rougher side after 120-grit.
The better side after 220, 320 and 500-grit. Amazing how the color of the stone darkened as the grit size decreased.
That’s very interesting. You may have have very, very fine, effectively powdered SiC embedded in the scratch pattern of the stone...(?)
I noticed something similar happening recently when I zero beveled a knife on a SiC combi recently and the mild steel darkened noticeably because of it.
Maybe try rubbing the surface of the stone down with a synthetic whetstone or mid grit natural and see if it ‘cleans up’...
Double post.
First drive in Llyn Idwal. Robeson 15A200, Semogue Owners Club 2-band finest badger, Stirling Barbershop, and Myrsol F/Extra.
I am pretty blown away by the edge - way beyond my expectations. Ark like. Sharp, keen and comfortable. Extraordinarily close shave with an alumometer reading of zero.
First drive in Llyn Idwal. Robeson 15A200, Semogue Owners Club 2-band finest badger, Stirling Barbershop, and Myrsol F/Extra.
I am pretty blown away by the edge - way beyond my expectations. Ark like. Sharp, keen and comfortable. Extraordinarily close shave with an alumometer reading of zero.
