Thread: Barber hone- Last minute advice

I am visiting an antique store about hours' drive away where I have seen straight razors and barber hones. I would like to pick up a barber hone if the price is right. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for concerning physical characteristics of the hones?

There are so many types,,,, just look for one in good condition, with as few chips on the edges as possible, no divits on the surfaces front & rear if possible. If the hone is "two-tone" , different grits on front & back,,, it is probably a top end barber hone,,,& especially if there is writting in ink on the sides or decals on the sides,,, they are probably top end.

Condition is always a concern...as far as barber hones are concerned they vary widely on grits. Modine has run tests on many of them and posted the results on razorandstone.com

Do take the time to read Modines results,he put alot of work into some great testings.

As far as condition, make sure and watch for cupping of the hone and any breakdown of the binder (can get a kind of "ashy" grey look). Besides that, most of em can be lapped back to servicable condition.

There were three barber hones at the antique store and I chose the one in the best condition. No chips and a box with instructions. I have been looking through Modine's reviews and didn't see a review for A Keen Kutter.



Anyone have any experience with this hone?

Nice looking hone.looks like a lakeside Blue.

Pixelfixed, I did a search of Lakeside Blue because I am not familiar with the brand. I saw a picture of your Lakeside Blue in an old thread. The directions in the pic read exactly the same, minus the first sentence.
The underside of the Keen Kutter box has direction in German so I am wondering if this hone was imported from Germany like Keen Kutter razors.

Looks like a nice hone! What other brands did they have?

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Pixelfixed, I did a search of Lakeside Blue because I am not familiar with the brand. I saw a picture of your Lakeside Blue in an old thread. The directions in the pic read exactly the same, minus the first sentence.
The underside of the Keen Kutter box has direction in German so I am wondering if this hone was imported from Germany like Keen Kutter razors.

Lakeside Blues are Highley sought after,I sold mine,could not turn down 20 times what I paid for it.Is in a nice collection now.