Thread: F.Swaty received today! Do I need to flatten it prior to using for touch ups?

Got this in today and hoping I can use it for touch ups. I am not sure if it can be worked into a progression though! Any thoughts on where this falls grit wise or if this is a good stone to have and/or use? It's about 8x2x<1/2.
Do I need to flatten it or at least do some maintenance on it before use?
Thx.

I don't know what to tell you on the grit level. Some guys used to say the finish side was maybe 12k, but I think that was an optimistic notion. If you go to the help files you'll find Swaty instructions for more than one of their barber hones. I believe that one is finer on the label side, but it may be the other way around. Some of them were the same on both sides. My guess is that is fine/finer. I may be mistaken though.

I have lapped them, but I don't anymore unless it is absolutely necessary. I'd take a plastic bristled brush, like for finger nails, or even a dish brush, and wash it with dish soap and water to remove any grunge. Some of the barber hones had a finish on them and they are better left alone. If there are any nicks in the edges of the honing flats they would need to be smoothed out (rounded) if they come in contact with the razors edge. IMHO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I don't know what to tell you on the grit level. Some guys used to say the finish side was maybe 12k, but I think that was an optimistic notion. If you go to the help files you'll find Swaty instructions for more than one of their barber hones. I believe that one is finer on the label side, but it may be the other way around. Some of them were the same on both sides. My guess is that is fine/finer. I may be mistaken though.

I have lapped them, but I don't anymore unless it is absolutely necessary. I'd take a plastic bristled brush, like for finger nails, or even a dish brush, and wash it with dish soap and water to remove any grunge. Some of the barber hones had a finish on them and they are better left alone. If there are any nicks in the edges of the honing flats they would need to be smoothed out (rounded) if they come in contact with the razors edge. IMHO.

Unlucky for me the stone is not quite flat. When I put a t-square up to it, it shows a slight dish in the center and a piece of paper will slide under the ruler. I have been trying to flatten is on 400 grit wet/dry on a marble plate for over a half hour and not there! Not even sure if it is doing anything but I do see some slight slurry in that color.

I had no idea that it could be a two sided or different grit on each side. I wish I could find this exact one and get more info on it.

Thx.

They are tough to lap. The old barbers I knew years ago never mentioned lapping. If it was me I'd try a razor on it before I fooled with lapping it. A bit of dish in a barber hone isn't necessarily a bad thing IME. Other than that I'd get a DMT D8C, or the DMT XX 120. The 120 will eat that thing and won't even burp.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

They are tough to lap. The old barbers I knew years ago never mentioned lapping. If it was me I'd try a razor on it before I fooled with lapping it. A bit of dish in a barber hone isn't necessarily a bad thing IME. Other than that I'd get a DMT D8C, or the DMT XX 120. The 120 will eat that thing and won't even burp.

The 120 won't ruin the stone will it? I was told if a paper can go under, then it should be lapped! That is all I know!

I ruined a DMT325 when I lapped a chip out of the edge and flattened my swaty. kind of a costly thing. the dmt325 still had grit but it was spotty.

When I got my Swaty it was a little dished too. I ended up lapping it with sic powder on my trusty granite tile. It took a while to get it but it came out real nice and totally flat.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by SirMike

The 120 won't ruin the stone will it? I was told if a paper can go under, then it should be lapped! That is all I know!

Well, if you have a razor you're not in love with, that you can test it with as it is now ....... that might tell you how important 'flat' is on that hone. I'm a 'flat freak', but I have a feeling it isn't always necessary, especially if the hone is worn in a consistent fashion. I could be wrong though, I was wrong once before.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I ruined a DMT325 when I lapped a chip out of the edge and flattened my swaty. kind of a costly thing. the dmt325 still had grit but it was spotty.

This is easy to believe. I have one of the very old Swatys, and that things seems really hard and smooth. As old as it is it is still very flat. I don't think I would try to flatten it! IMHO

Originally Posted by rhensley

I ruined a DMT325 when I lapped a chip out of the edge and flattened my swaty. kind of a costly thing. the dmt325 still had grit but it was spotty.

Sorry to hear that!

Originally Posted by petercp4e

When I got my Swaty it was a little dished too. I ended up lapping it with sic powder on my trusty granite tile. It took a while to get it but it came out real nice and totally flat.

Pete <:-}

I will keep working at it!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well, if you have a razor you're not in love with, that you can test it with as it is now ....... that might tell you how important 'flat' is on that hone. I'm a 'flat freak', but I have a feeling it isn't always necessary, especially if the hone is worn in a consistent fashion. I could be wrong though, I was wrong once before.

I am too and want it flat for sure as it will also eliminate a variable when it comes to me doing a touch up and being new at this!

Originally Posted by WindsorRaz

This is easy to believe. I have one of the very old Swatys, and that things seems really hard and smooth. As old as it is it is still very flat. I don't think I would try to flatten it! IMHO

Well, I am going to give it a try and see. If I am able to flatten it like I want, then I can't imagine the next time I will have to do it again as it is just for my use! I am seeing results of the scuffing from the sandpaper on the heel and toes areas but it is not touching the center yet! Time will tell!