Thread: Vintage hones

I was just asking for what kinds and brand names to watch for

You want to do a 5 minute search for what others have spent years doing and learning.

No wonder you don't get an imediate and specific answer.

I suggest that you keep a lookout for 2 barber hones.
The Apart. It will function as a finishing stone.
The Swaty. It will function as an almost finishing stone.
Both are manmade. Both are from Eastern Europe.

Just my 2¢

Randy has touched on an important topic. With a few exceptions and even those are limited, there is not just one hone you'll need. The Norton Nº 1 Washita will go a long way through the progression but even it is not a one stone hone. In yester-year they probably did use one or two stones for the whole honing process but even then they likely use pasted strops to go a bit further. I actually have an old two sided razor honing block (gigantic thing) of my Dad's and I can go from bevel set to finish on the two sides but it is the only one of its kind I have ever seen.

There is another rabbit hole, barber hones. I have a Panama that I particularly like. Also I have a frictionite that I’m very happy with.
I have quite a number of finishing hones. They all work quite well. The thing about natural finishers is they all have a bit different feel on your face. If you want to figure out what you like, you can get someone to finish a bunch of razors for you on different finishers and see what edge appeals most to you. Then find one that is what you are willing to pay.
If you are looking to build a selection/collection, the list is long.

what about this one?

Originally Posted by Cattleman02

what about this one?

Yes that is a good one. Although a little short, I have some that length that work quite well. That one looks like a black but I am pretty sure it is a transluscent. Not that it really matters because the difference between the two is color. The only reason it makes any difference is because that one is dirty. That too is inconsequential because it is stamped instead of paper labeled and can be soaked to get it clean. There are ways to remove and reapply or store a paper label too but that discussion is getting adrift of the topic a bit. OR, maybe that's just its color. In any case, yes that stone is a good one, made (or sold rather, it was made by nature) by a reputable company at a good time in production history.

Since it is an auction I would recommend doing a search of sold items and seeing what they actually sold for, not what people are asking and use that as your guide.

Edit: one thing to consider though is that since the stamp is on the face instead of the edge it prevents you from burnishing that side of the stone to give it two different honing surfaces. If you didnt know you can make two steps in a progression with one stone that way. Lots of further reading on that to be found.
That is all pertinent if you care about preserving the stamp. You could say, it's a tool to be used and not admired but usually people like to preserve stamps and labels. Food for thought.

Originally Posted by 32t

You want to do a 5 minute search for what others have spent years doing and learning.

No wonder you don't get an imediate and specific answer.

Originally Posted by Cattleman02

I was just asking for what kinds and brand names to watch for

Well honestly I think the thread titled "coticule" was
- fairly comprehensive
- also a good lesson as of what kind of answer you get when asking about hones