Thread: PRESTO-KEENO Razor hone

This is the PRESTO-KEENO Barber hone from Wilkes-Barre, PA. I could not find any history regarding this Barber hone. If anyone has documented information please feel free to respond. The finishing or branded side is a golden yellow color. This is a small unusual high performance combination pocket hone. Can be used wet or dry. Dimensions are 4-1/2”L x 2”W x 5/16”H. Instructions are attached.

Two identical King Midas razors were chosen to test this barber pocket hone. Both razors were taken to a 1K-3K-8K Norton level. One of the razors was then progressed to the approx. 15k level. The edges were visually inspected at 100X magnification.

8 X-laps, strokes or passes were made on the PRESTO-KEENO barber hone with lather to see if it would improve the 8K Norton edge and the approx 15K edge. The branded side was used for this test. The edge was observed again under 100X magnification.

Conclusion: The hone significantly improved the 8K Norton edge. The hone maintained and slightly improve approx 15K edge. Consistent uniform abrasion lines were present. You can feel this hones aggressive cutting ability. The shave test confirmed what was observed under the scope. Stropping with leather only will smooth the edge. This is a very fast and fine cutting barber hone and 4 to 8 light laps should suffice on the heaviest blade. Over use will destroy a fine razor edge.
Mike





I have seen this hone come up once on Ebay.




Another truly great hone.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could still buy them for their original price of $2.00. What a bargain that would be.

It would certainly make me feel better about buying one to test. Problem with barber hones is you can buy 10 of the same make and they can all behave differently depending on the state of the binder. It's kind of why I have relegated getting more to ones included in lots these days. When you do get a good one though, they can be mighty impressive. It makes you wonder how good it was fresh and new.