I agree there are a LOT of good razor finishers out there. Barber hones are by and large under rated IMO. The Swaty I view the same as I do my Norton 8K. Sort of baseline for comfort from a shaving edge. I think the edge from a Swaty is a tick better than the Norton 8K, but nothing special. It's a good working edge that can be comfortable if done up right. But there are better hones out there.

I need to revisit my American Hone Co. barber hone. I never really did any testing with that one. I had an opportunity to pick up a Raven, and cheap a few years back when I was first getting into hones. Crying shame I didn't know anything about them and passed it up. Well, maybe if I keep my eyes open I'll stumble into another some day.