Thread: Honing in the 1930's question ?

..I just received a bunch of Shaving stuff from my late Grandpap (. He started a barber shop in 1936.) Question....I have a couple of his razor hones...and wanted to know how the barbers back then honed their razors. Today we have 1K -- 30k stones...but in the 30's was this the only hone they used for sharpening ? Just use water or lather on the stone ...?..thanks

Mostly, barbers hones were used for maintaining a edge.
Barbers didn't have time for full edge restorations, this was left for specialized individuals who came by their shops for repairs such as this, and to hone scissors.

I met an old guy and that's all he had for his razor. I have the 106 and it is hard to say what grit it is of course. I will say those old Carbs are hard and fast. Unlike a typical barbers hone ( at least what I think of) it only has one grit that you can do a lot with including bevel setting. Remember back then they were thrifty and self sufficient. 2 or 3 hones was a lot and I bet not many were collectors. Another thing,,,don't try to lap it LOL seriously.

Oh and I use mine for fixing trouble geometry razors. The smaller size lets me do some fancy gymnastics.

What grit would you guess yours is ?

I doubt my Grandpap out sourced any of his razors for bevel setting.. Especially soon after the Depression.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

What grit would you guess yours is ?

Don't know...but I just gave 20-25 strokes on a razor that was tugging....and we will see how it is ...with tonight's shave. Just want to see how a 1930's shave would be...

Just suggestion, don't use more than a very few strokes to start. Those old barber hones are aggressive. Normally the box said use three or four strokes. Have fun!
~Richard

. Just saw this on the inside....more is Bettah..Right ! ....lol

He may not have but I would bet he used the guy in a wagon going neighborhood to neighborhood sharpening all things sharp. My old barber still did it up till the 60,s. Then he had to take them to someone else the old man had died. But it was coo on , not uncommon. Tc

Interesting, I found the modern Hair Palaces have trouble finding a quality shears sharpener. There is one in his late 70's that still travels a five county area here. The stylists hope he has a long useful life!!
~Richard