Thread: AMALGAMITE American Hone Co. Olean, NY barber hone test

Here is the AMALGAMITE American Hone Co. barber hone. This single grit barber hone was made in Olean, NY location and is branded “non-filling, non-corrodible” Primary abrasive is 4F Turkish emery and 3F Carbolon silicon carbide. There were also two sided Amalgamite hones manufactured however this is the only one available to test. This gold colored hone measures 2” W x 5”L x ½”H.

Two identical King Midas Extra Good razors were chosen to test this Barber hone. Both razors were taken to a 1K-4K-Norton 8K level. One of the razors was then progressed to the approx. 15K level on a much finer stone. The edges were visually inspected at 100X magnification at each interval.

8 X-laps, strokes or passes were made with each razor on the Amalgamite hone to see if it would improve or degrade the razor taken to the Norton 8K edge and the razor honed to the approx. 15K edge.

Conclusion, the AMALGAMITE AM Hone Co. barber hone is an aggressive barber hone that degraded the 8K Norton edge. It is recommended that only 4 laps light pressure be done on this barber hone. Indication of a wire edge and over-hone were becoming evident at 8 passes. Stropping on a properly pasted strop and leather would smooth the edge.
Mike

Silicon Carbide is normally an aggressive abrasive due to particle shape and hardness. Emery, sometimes called black sand, can fracture to form smaller particles that might help polish the edge. But emery is normally 200 mesh grit or less. That would not be kind on a razor.

It sounds like this hone might be more suitable as a knife hone.