Champion Barber's Hone I picked up...

Hello.. I'm new... Real new.. looking at going Str8 5 days a week starting Tuesday (I have Monday off this week)... I have started a PM with Zib about hones as he's in the same area, but wanted to get some forum input as Champion Hones seem to have mixed reviews...

I purchased this years ago for sharpening knives, but never used it... Didn't realize it was a barber's hone until this interest started a few months back.. Please let me know your opinion on this as I'm hoping to use this, in combo with stropping to maintain my edge for the most part.

THanks in advance. It's not as porous as it looks in the picture.. actually very smooth...>

Attachment 151474

What would you do if you were going to use this for prep and how would you use it.. Lather, Oil, water... Dry...???

Don't have champion barber hone and from what I remember reading they were decent hones.

Most of these old hones got the job done just fine.

I would tell you to add a pic of the opposite side and two of the sides , one of the end and the other length wise

As to using it I tend to use barber hones dry. But try with water on it and lather to see what works best for you. I would stay away from oil as these stones don't seem like they where ever made for that purpose

I use oil on my Ruby barber hone sometimes and to be honest it performs just as well dry. Old instructions don't even mention using any kind of lubricant on them. I think a barber's hone is a must-have for guys who don't want to purchase a whole set of hones Attachment 151475

Also, your hone looks basically new in the pic but you may want to lap it to make sure it isn't slightly dished out. My Ruby looked good to go when I got it but still had to be lapped before I used it

Couple of things...

Champions are a dead center BH, they are a very good standard to judge other's by...

The finish that is on there from the factory should NOT be lapped off unless truly needed, it is a ton of work to bring it back.. these are not waterstones and that factory finish is part of the effectiveness of the Barber's hone..

Water and/or Lather are always safe to use on these hones Oil is not always safe, I would only use it is you have the original instructions for THAT hone and it is printed Oil, Water, or Lather

Here is a Vid I did some time ago on how to use them, it might give you some ideas..


gssixgun Barber Hone.wmv - YouTube

^ he would know more than me so take his advice instead of mine. What I have done works perfectly well for me but that one barber hone is the only one I have experience with. Lapping my ruby was necessary and it works just fine afterwards, but again I'm no expert so if he says don't do it, don't do it!

Thanks all.. Especially GSSIXGUN and EmbalmerSTL... That vid was awesome.. and makes it look simple.. Will update.. .

I use my Swaty (Barber's hone) dry for a real quick touch up, 3-5 lapps. You can keep your razor shave ready with a Barber's hone. I did it for a year, and I think Glen did it longer than that...

Yeppers I still have one razor that has only seen a Swaty, I keep it as a test bed, probably always will, that one has been going about 4 years now IIRC

Wow... I'll Give a shot and see....