Barbers hone

[ironmikeko3]

If someone knows where to get one of these or if someone has an extra one they wouldnt mind letting someone new to the scene buy from them, please respond to this thread. I am asking because the only barbers hone i could find are on ebay and i do not have paypal so i cannot order it. Also if anyone wants to sell me theirs money order is the only way i can pay you. The reason i want to get a barbers hone is because i hear that its a good way to get your hand accustomed(sp?) to honing and i heard that it does not cut too fast, which is my biggest concern because i do not want to totally ruin my first blade. and my blade came sharp already so i wont need a 4000/8000 for at least a couple of months.

[johnmw1]

If someone knows where to get one of these or if someone has an extra one they wouldnt mind letting someone new to the scene buy from them, please respond to this thread. I am asking because the only barbers hone i could find are on ebay and i do not have paypal so i cannot order it. Also if anyone wants to sell me theirs money order is the only way i can pay you. The reason i want to get a barbers hone is because i hear that its a good way to get your hand accustomed(sp?) to honing and i heard that it does not cut too fast, which is my biggest concern because i do not want to totally ruin my first blade. and my blade came sharp already so i wont need a 4000/8000 for at least a couple of months.

Hi,

You could try Tilly at redtrader99.com, she also accepts money orders, and she has a good selection of NOS barber hones.

John

[ironmikeko3]

lithide or gem? whats the diff?

[johnmw1]

Sorry I can't answer that one. Hopefully one of the honing experts will jump in.

John

I just read up on it, Gem seems to be a medium / fine stone, and the Lithide seems to be fine used for finishing, I think.

[Gorila]

Tilly wrote me that Lithide was her finest hone.

Gorila

[suzuki]

The difference is grit - the GEM is a medium hone and the lithide is fine.

They are not the easiest things in the world to use as you have to hold them properly and watch that you hone the blade equally - that being said, I use mine for touch ups and have used them to bring new razors to shaving sharp.

I'm not sure if its a cash issue, but you're likely better off getting a Norton 4/8 or some Japanese waterstones, as you'll need several barber's hones if you want to be able to put an edge on a new or e-bay razor. If you're looking for a hone to refresh blades periodically, then the lithide is the one to go with - but read the posts on the forum as its gotten mixed reviews.

A better alternative for most people who want something to refresh edges is a pasted paddle - you can get a nice two-sided bench paddle from Tony for a reasonable price and either have him paste it or paste it yourself.