Thread: Did Swaty make hones for Diamond Edge?

Found this Diamond Edge razor hone, sold by Norvell-Sharpleigh Hardware (later to become Keen-kutter) yesterday at the antique store. looked alot like my Swaty. Didn't notice till i got home that the instructions on the bottom of the box are in German (from what i can make out). What do you think?

I have a Simmons Keen Kutter home with similar, if not the same exact instructions. I'll take a look this afternoon but I'm sure there are English and German instructions.

From a knowledgeable friend.
American Hone Company in nY and later in Iowa, made about 80% of the barber hones out there and for maybe upward of 50 companies that sold them under their trade name.. That includes Swaty's without foreign city marks.
~Richard
PS, You have a very good hone!

You may find it tested and reviewed here:
Barber-Hone-Reviews

. Here are some pics of my Simmons Keen Kutter K15 and box. I have seen the same instructions on barber homes sold by many different companies which makes more sense now with Geezer's info about American Hone Co.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Here are some pics of my Simmons Keen Kutter K15 and box. I have seen the same instructions on barber homes sold by many different companies which makes more sense now with Geezer's info about American Hone Co.

That is the prettiest KeenKutter that I have seen. WOW!
~Richard

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

. Here are some pics of my Simmons Keen Kutter K15 and box. I have seen the same instructions on barber homes sold by many different companies which makes more sense now with Geezer's info about American Hone Co.

Oooooo,

I love your K15.

I have a K20 and absolutely love it. How do you like yours?

Performance wise how is it?

I've only used it on a couple of razors so far. The edges were definitely improved but not exactly up to my desired standard. I have been told that it is at about the 8k grit level.
I really like Keen Kutter products (and the packaging) so I have kept it around even though I have a better barber hone.

Note: The antique store where I bought the K15 from has/had a bunch of Simmons and Shapleigh items. I really like looking at the assortment of products these hardware stores sold. I probably paid more than the hone was worth because of the dealer is a Keen Kutter collector.

The barber hones should be used only to flatten out the bevel, and not to get all of the way to the edge, unless they are advertised as "never overhone" types.

If they're used only just shy of the edge, they are spectacular as an easy way to maintain a razor. But not so great when used to the edge.