Thread: Allegro hone

What kind of grit are the allegro hones, I assume they are a type of whats called a barber hone. What I am trying to figure out is if they would be finer then a 12k naniwa and if not would they be comfortable enough to shave off.

They were designed to be used as a touch up hone. So the idea is that if you have a properly formed bevel that they just keep a nice polish on the edge. In theory they are between 8 and 12K

Originally Posted by RezDog

They were designed to be used as a touch up hone. So the idea is that if you have a properly formed bevel that they just keep a nice polish on the edge. In theory they are between 8 and 12K

So they would be basically useless if you were to have a naniwa 12K as they would be of lower grit? I ask as I got three nos Allegro mod flexible 50 strops/hones. I thought they might be good if your traveling.

I am not familiar with all of their models, most of the ones I have researched are for wedge style razor blades, and those were intended for maintenance honing, and essentially had a finish hone of sorts in them. I never did get a direct answer as to exactly what was in it for honing. Some said a fine slate, others said pasted leather. So I do not really know for sure. Most of that was gleamed from the inter web, and is subject to my memory as well.

I am familiar with the safety blade ones you speak of there were many types one for double edge like gillette and durham one for se gem ,valet,christy style one for wedges with the little stone you turned with a little pasted leather on the other side. These are made for straights though I guess I will have to compare the stone side when they arrive I only paid 22 dollars each so I think thats fair.

The other factor we always have to consider when talking about vintage items is condition.

The allegro stone is very capable as a barber hone. I experimented with one that was in the allegro machine for lather catcher blades and it absolutely works. You don't really need the crox or feox stages they supply just the leather. I had a spring loaded allegro travel strop that had a hone component and it worked as well. I think the allegro stuff may have been a premium item in its day.

They arrived today the hone feels kinda like plastic so it is definitely a kind of man made material. Three of them were nos the other four were used pictured is a new one and two used ones as you can see some of the hones are different colours. In the handel is a little drawer with a red stick to rub on the strop. The english instructions state exactly as follows.

Flexible Allegro stone Enables an expert barber to hone even against the edge. Hone the razor on the stone (4-5 strokes) twice or three times a week according to stiffness of beard, and strop on the leather (8-10 strokes) every time before shaving. Stone and leather can be replaced. No paste is required:rub the leather eventually with the red Allegro composition, producing a fine and dry dressing. Nota: If the edge of your razor appears rounded from continuous use of an ordinary leather strop give more strokes on the stone side.

Seems like odd instructions to me.

Those look fantastic and not at all what I expected. What a great score. I expect you are correct and they are a Barber hone of sorts. Now you have me wanting to look at them more closely.

Agreed - fantastic looking hone/strop combination, just did some reading on them...these one were absolutely designed for straights and the barber. I'd imagine they are probably around 8-10k range? Just spit-balling...