Thread: barbar hones

An old friend once told me to use then shaving soap as a lub on the swatty pocket hone when finishing the edge. I tried it after my usual progression of 1K--3/8K and 12K SS. it seams to help some and I was wondering if anyone else has tried this. I know it makes the hone seam less gritty.

I have a few barbers hones to try out. Just haven't yet. But when I do I will take this approach. I have read this in old school teachings and some of the instructions that come with these hones include the advice of using lather.

It's common practice.

I tried my Swaty 3-line barber hone, came in the original box with the instructions, gave it a try on my first SR, a Dovo Best Quality, brought it back to life perfectly with little effort, just followed the instructions. You really can, "keep it simple".

Why finish on a barber hone when you have a 12K hone? Barber hones are estimated at 8-10K.

Just ask Simon...Sigway

I used my 3 line swaty for touch up quite a bit. Works very well. I use an Apart barber hone at the moment, but would have no issue going back to a swaty.

Originally Posted by MattCB

I used my 3 line swaty for touch up quite a bit. Works very well. I use an Apart barber hone at the moment, but would have no issue going back to a swaty.

Sigway likes Apart. Just ask him. I want one...

It actually makes sense seeing that I already use cheap dish washing detergent in the water when I hone. I also put it in the water when I wet sand anything. breaks the surface tension of the water and effectively makes the water "wetter".

Originally Posted by Kees

Why finish on a barber hone when you have a 12K hone? Barber hones are estimated at 8-10K.

That is not accurate. There has been quite a bit of research done are barber hones and the grit variance is quite a bit wider than that. They seem to go from around 4K to 15K. It really depends on which barber hone. You should check modine's research at razor and stone. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.