Thread: FRANZ SWATY HONES

Swatys have an interesting history, would make for an interesting research project. Ive had 2 of the 3 line Swatys, one was a NOS in the box double textured combination hone that read:

THE SWATY
THREE LINE
DIAMOND HONE

The other one that I still have is a nice used single texture hone that reads:

FRANZ SWATY
WAHRING BEI WIEN
(AUSTRIA)

Are they both 3 line hones? I suppose. Ive also read of knock off Swatys that may (or may not be) fairly decent.

fwiw.


Dave

I'm searching for info about a Wahring Bei Wien Swaty, too. Nothing yet.


Regards

These two links provide info about Swaty (the company; first link for early history), and original era usage instructions in Englsih for the stones:


http://www.swaty.si/index.php?id=18&L=1


http://www.oldtoolsshop.com/z_pdf/1S...orHones-ne.pdf

What I found interesting in reading some of the vintage advertising in the back of the book of Razors 3rd Edition was that 3 line Swatys were included/given away as part of a promotion for another unrelated product (some sort of strop dressing IIRC).

I also find it's interesting that the Swaty instructions talk of basically honing until sharp. All other references to barber hones I've seen stress 4-6 laps to avoid overhoning. So far, 4-6 laps does not work for me with barber hones. As a matter of fact, just this morning I did 6 laps with one of my razors on a "Perfect" hone which is high grit like the Swaty with 75 passes on the strop. Weight of the blade only and the edge is not close to shave ready (it was in need of a touch up prior to taking it to that hone, but definitely was a comfortably shaving razor prior to needing the touch up).

Now, I'm going to try using the Perfect hone and my 3 line Swaty and hone like I would on a high grit natural and see what happens.

Chris L

I just got a Franz Swaty hone and I have a dumb newbie question: after lapping the stone can I use both sides?

Originally Posted by Zeus

I just got a Franz Swaty hone and I have a dumb newbie question: after lapping the stone can I use both sides?

Yes you can. I have a few of them and one of them has the original instructions. The interesting thing on this one is that it said the side with the company name is the "sharper" side. I can't prove it but I think they are all basically the same.

IMO, the three line became popular with barbers and they asked the traveling salesmen who came to their shops for them. Hence Swaty and other mfgs actually printing "3 Line Razor Hone" on the rocks. I have an American Hone Co marked like that.

Thanks. It's great to have a website with nice people who share your interests, and are so willing to help!

Originally Posted by Chris L

I also find it's interesting that the Swaty instructions talk of basically honing until sharp. All other references to barber hones I've seen stress 4-6 laps to avoid overhoning. So far, 4-6 laps does not work for me with barber hones. Chris L

In the early '80s I got a 3 line Swaty and a Belgian Coticule from a barber in New Jersey. He demonstrated his honing with both. On the Belgian with hot lather from the Lather King machine and dry on the Swaty.

On both he stressed only a few laps and the weight of the blade only. It is no wonder that following his instructions I could never get a razor sharp back then and gave it up shortly thereafter. Sure glad I found this site.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In the early '80s I got a 3 line Swaty and a Belgian Coticule from a barber in New Jersey. He demonstrated his honing with both. On the Belgian with hot lather from the Lather King machine and dry on the Swaty.

On both he stressed only a few laps and the weight of the blade only. It is no wonder that following his instructions I could never get a razor sharp back then and gave it up shortly thereafter. Sure glad I found this site.

OK, are you saying that you couldn't get one sharp with only a few laps, and to use more?

Originally Posted by Zeus

OK, are you saying that you couldn't get one sharp with only a few laps, and to use more?

Well yes, no and maybe. It depends on the razor and the condition of the edge when you take it to whatever hone you are messing with. My point after having read ChrisL's post is that the misinformation commonly handed out about Swatys by the barbers I've known is common. There it is right in the instructions Swaty distributed with their hones, "Should it not be sharp enough commence the same process until the required sharpness is produced."

There is way more to it than that in terms of making sure the bevel is set and then sharpening the razor in a grit progression or with pyramids, or a combination of the two. I got a Bartmann Manganese off of ebay a few weeks ago. Checked it with the 30X and it looked good.

Did one conservative pyramid with the Norton 4/8 and it was popping hair to beat the band. A lot of strokes were not necessary on that particular razor but they are all individual and some need more then others.

If you haven't already checked out the honing tutorials in the Wiki do so. A lot of good info in there.