Thread: eBay win: 3-line Swaty

Hey all,

So even though I don't need a barber hone and actually decided today that I wouldn't get out afterall, I couldn't pass up this opportunity!

VINTAGE SHAVING RAZOR HONE * FRANZ SWATY, AUSTRIA - eBay (item 370161371349 end time Feb-24-09 17:05:05 PST)

Look what I won for $13.82! There are only a couple of small cracks along the edge, but other than that it's a pretty good condition Swaty 3-line!

I think it's worth $13.18 At least to try out.

Just wanted to share.

Great price! I've wanted to try one of these for a while, they look like such a handy size for touch-ups. I'm betting that after a good lapping and beveling of the edges, that will be as fine as a marble tile.

Those Swaty's are great finishers. I'm quite happy with mine, and I paid a bit more than you did too.

If I only had one barber hone I would want it to be a Swaty because all of the old barbers in the Newark, NJ area I talked with swore by them. Good price.

Thanks, Dave!

I've got an almost identical Swaty (2-line) that belonged to my grandfather. It was in an old hard leather box, along with a leather roll-up that holds 7 straights of various flavors and a '49 SS DE in the box (yes, I DO have to post pictures soon). I've been meaning to post a picture of my hone asking if anyone could identify it and possibly what grit it is. This thread helped me immensly.

I don't mean to steal your post (congratulations, by the way), but how does one lap a Swaty? I know how to lap, but what's an appropriate grit to use? Also, I'll never sell mine, but I'm curious, roughly what's it worth? Thanks!

Cheers,
Tom

Originally Posted by TomPike

I don't mean to steal your post (congratulations, by the way), but how does one lap a Swaty? I know how to lap, but what's an appropriate grit to use? Also, I'll never sell mine, but I'm curious, roughly what's it worth

A decent condition Swaty usually goes for 20 to 30 bucks on ebay. I got my 3-line for 15 because it had some chips missing.

The ceramic Swatys are made from is super hard if you don't have a diamond lapping plate. I started by glue sticking some 320 grit wetordry paper on to a thick glass tabletop and rubbed the hell out of it. I flattened the hone and beveled the edges with the 320 and smoothed it with 600 grit.

I use my swaty, exclusively, when a razor starts pulling. A dozen light passes and a few dozen on the paddle, 50 on the strop and it's good to go.

it's hard to tell from the small pictures how significant the chips are, but these are no fun to lap. hopefully you'll get enough good surface to try it.
post pictures when you get it

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Look what I won for $13.82! There are only a couple of small cracks along the edge, but other than that it's a pretty good condition Swaty 3-line! I think it's worth $13.18 At least to try out.

Originally Posted by shuredgefan

A decent condition Swaty usually goes for 20 to 30 bucks on ebay. I got my 3-line for 15 because it had some chips missing.

Seems to be Swaty time on eBay. I don't have any barber hone and I don't miss one, but out of curiosity how much it would fetch I just put this one on my watch list: unused (?) Swaty Three Line Razor Hone 5 3/4" x 2" - winning bid: USD 16.50. Has it found a new home with one of us too?

Originally Posted by gugi

it's hard to tell from the small pictures how significant the chips are, but these are no fun to lap. hopefully you'll get enough good surface to try it.
post pictures when you get it

It was a little hard to tell from the pictures, but I figured it was worth the gamble since I put a low maximum bid.

I figure I can even lap the hell out of it and try to get the chips out if it does pose a problem for honing. Based on everything I've read about lapping barber hones, this may well be a little project for me!

great price on a great hone . I was so tempted to place a bid on it but decided to go with something else instead .