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Forzato · 01-31-2008, 08:23 PM

QUICK REVIEW:
HandAmerican leather bench hones are considered by some to be the best of their kind. While the reviewed example of the magnetic Corian base was well made and worthy of the $40 US price, the several magnetic leather hones ($20 each) purchased were made with low quality (for stropping/honing that is) leather pieces that make the bench hone unacceptable.

A MORE IN DEPTH REVIEW:
As stated some users report that the HandAmerican leather hones are second to none. For this review a Corian base and several full-grain horse leather hones were tested. It is believed that HandAmerican does not recommend the use of diamond pastes on their leather hones - however it is considered by the industry as a legitimite use of the HandAmerican leather hone.

The Corian base is well designed and well made. It is big, heavy, precisely cut, and (other than sharp edges) very pleasing to handle. The leather hones were cut sloppy (or assembled sloppy) such that the magnetic pad and the leather were not in alignment. The same construction/assembly misalignment was visible on the Corian base as well. The leather used displayed minute areas of scarring and when the leather is stroked presents a surprisingly lumpy surface. The scarring had very small visible cracks in the leather. If not used for razor stropping/honing this would be beautiful leather... let's say perhaps for a saddle. The lumps were separate from the scarring. All the surface irregularities made for a very poor leather bench hone/strop. Some of the hones had fewer errors than others - but none were truly viable. Attempts were made to reduce to acceptable the surface irregularities... compression, abrasion, rolling pressure, stropping - all to no avail. It seemed that if the HandAmerican leather were only scar-free and lump-free it would make for an outstanding hone/strop.

HandAmerican is being contacted regarding the leather issues, and this post will be updated to inform you of the results with HandAmerican customer service (which thus far has been exemplary).

The reviewer welcomes any feedback.

01-31-2008, 08:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Forzato Status: < Banned User > Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Imperial America Posts: 41 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	HandAmerican leather bench hone QUICK REVIEW: HandAmerican leather bench hones are considered by some to be the best of their kind. While the reviewed example of the magnetic Corian base was well made and worthy of the $40 US price, the several magnetic leather hones ($20 each) purchased were made with low quality (for stropping/honing that is) leather pieces that make the bench hone unacceptable. A MORE IN DEPTH REVIEW: As stated some users report that the HandAmerican leather hones are second to none. For this review a Corian base and several full-grain horse leather hones were tested. It is believed that HandAmerican does not recommend the use of diamond pastes on their leather hones - however it is considered by the industry as a legitimite use of the HandAmerican leather hone. The Corian base is well designed and well made. It is big, heavy, precisely cut, and (other than sharp edges) very pleasing to handle. The leather hones were cut sloppy (or assembled sloppy) such that the magnetic pad and the leather were not in alignment. The same construction/assembly misalignment was visible on the Corian base as well. The leather used displayed minute areas of scarring and when the leather is stroked presents a surprisingly lumpy surface. The scarring had very small visible cracks in the leather. If not used for razor stropping/honing this would be beautiful leather... let's say perhaps for a saddle. The lumps were separate from the scarring. All the surface irregularities made for a very poor leather bench hone/strop. Some of the hones had fewer errors than others - but none were truly viable. Attempts were made to reduce to acceptable the surface irregularities... compression, abrasion, rolling pressure, stropping - all to no avail. It seemed that if the HandAmerican leather were only scar-free and lump-free it would make for an outstanding hone/strop. HandAmerican is being contacted regarding the leather issues, and this post will be updated to inform you of the results with HandAmerican customer service (which thus far has been exemplary). The reviewer welcomes any feedback. Attached Images Last edited by Forzato; 02-01-2008 at 05:10 AM.