Am Hone Co - advice

[gersh]

Hey, all. Have been straight razor shaving semi-regularly for about a year, and razor is needing a touch up. Haven't honed any razors yet--- just my kitchen knives. I have an old barber's hone that I just inherited (along with a Marshall Wells Barber's Prince 5/8 that I haven't really looked at yet).

I know it's American Hone Company, but no clue on whether it's in good enough condition to use. The dark side looks crazed, but feel smooth to the touch. Also not sure which side to use first. I've seen others that seem to have a much lighter reddish side to finish on, but mine is engraved upside down from those, and seems to be different hues. (This is a medium dark red on bottom, and dark gray on top, if the writing is right side up-- where others have been lightish red on top, and medium gray on bottom.)



Thanks in advance,
Gersh

[Marshal]

Doesn't look like there are too many chips in that hone. Clean it up with soap, water, and a scotch brite pad then try it on a test razor and see how it performs.

[Aerdvaark]

I'll second that advise.

[doorsch]

Iam quite sure it could be a re-branded Frictionite 00

[Gasman]

Im a bit new to stones but after its cleaned up id think you should be able to feel a difference in the two sides and tell what is corser. If not, then a couple stdokes with a razor and look at the scratches with a loupe to see which is finer scratches.

Im just guessing though. Hope someone knows the stone and can comment.

[doorsch]

Iam quite sure it could be a re-branded Frictionite 00

Not 100% sure...AM Hone did a lot of different hones. I also remember a version of the Frictionite 00 Mini with a reddish side, which worked much different then the "normal" Frictionites....

The color i would describe on my stones it a gray-brown side where the finer side looks yellowish/brown. The mini Frictionite looks more greyish on the darker side then brownish...

[gersh]

Thanks, folks. Will give that a shot. Cheers!