Thread: Testing "Apart" Barber Hone

Question. I noticed in one of the thread responses that a "lather" was used. I have read where some called a slurry lather is this what is meant? Or is something else used.

Lather in the context of a BH just means lather. If you use lather with your BH be sure and rinse well so none is left on the BH.

I prefer to use a very diluted lather. On a lot of barber hones, including the Apart, water simply beads up on them and with the first honing stroke you've pushed most of the water right off the hone. I wet the hone and then touch a lathered brush to the water on the hone and then spread that around the hone with a finger. The surface tension of the water is reduced by the soap but effectively the wet hone looks like it has soapy water on it, as opposed to having a layer of lather on it as you would have applied to your face.

Alright I understand. I always put a few drops of Dawn in my water bottle that I use to mist the stones with. So I guess this does the same thing.

Thanks for the reply

Ray

Thanks for the details on the lather with the BH Utopian. Good to know. As far as dawn in your water, i hear its not good to use soap on synthetic stones. So not sure thats good for regular honing. Naturals i think its fine.
But this is just what ive read.

I've had nothing bad happen to my synthetics so far and I use a couple drops in my spray bottle also. Tc

Originally Posted by Gasman

Thanks for the details on the lather with the BH Utopian. Good to know. As far as dawn in your water, i hear its not good to use soap on synthetic stones. So not sure thats good for regular honing. Naturals i think its fine.
But this is just what ive read.

Depends on the stone. Old style clay binder waterstones like Nortons & Kings are pretty bombproof but the modern ceramics like Shaptons are sensitive to all sorts of things.

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. Wondering about my Naniwas now. Ive wanted to try this but have been afraid.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Depends on the stone. Old style clay binder waterstones like Nortons & Kings are pretty bombproof but the modern ceramics like Shaptons are sensitive to all sorts of things.

Yup. I have read that warning with some of my synthetics but I didn't save all the paperwork for all of them and didn't want to bother with trying to remember which tolerated what and didn't want a with soap and a without soap spray bottle so I simply skip the soap.

Barber hones on the other hand tolerate it just fine. Of course it helps that a honing session on a barber hone generally is less than 10 seconds in duration.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. Wondering about my Naniwas now. Ive wanted to try this but have been afraid.

I've got the Naniwa SuperStones, Choseras, and a couple Traditionals and I cannot imagine soap/detergent being of any benefit for any of them. Their surfaces just don't need it.