Resurecting this old thread as it was the newest I could find.
Managed to pick up a Fernsler Ruby recently for pretty cheap. I was curious if it was worthy of residing with the other top Barber hones I have collected.
I haven't bought one in many years but as I went through ALOT of them years ago I kept some exceptional ones.
A Frictionite, Lakeside, Both Panama hones and a Witte Hardware. There seems to always be a little variance even between the same models but the ones I kept are very good examples of each.
I guess I got lucky with the Fernsler because it is a fantastic little hone that gives a great shaving edge.
I have seen some mention it will ruin an edge if used too much or with water etc. This one used dry will not harm an edge.
My test razor took a hundred strokes from shave ready and it slightly improved what was on it. No degradation!
Three other razors took the same great edge.
The coarse side is very noticable in use - it sounds much more coarse and the Emery(I believe) is quite visible. Nothing visible on the fine side with a loupe.
Because there is no visible line between the fine and coarse it would be possible for the course side to have been blended with the fine or very close to its surface.
Very happy to have what I believe is the best Barber hones made from another era.
They are truly exceptional when you see the plethora of hones that were around at that time and how many of them that were either just ok or down right terrible.
Great hone!