Thread: Making barber hones

Originally Posted by Johnny J

I would think plaster of Paris would be more promising than Portland cement due to its softness. According to Wikipedia, Portland cement contains 5% particles in the 40uM range, which would surely destroy your edge.

That sounds about right; there is no need for the cement to be "fine grain" for the purpose it’s commonly used.
Though we could separate the finer particles using the tank settling method.

If I remember correctly though, the Plaster of Paris is soft and fine grained like flower and dries (or cures) soft but firm.
Hmmmm need to do some more research but I have a feeling this may just work.

I just found this thread. Man, am I relieved! I thought I was the only nut case about hones!

Several years ago I spoke with a guy at the Minnesota Ceramic Supply on Payne Avenue in St. Paul Minnesota about how to make a hone.
He had experience in consulting with NASA regarding the composition and making of the heat shield tiles on the space shuttle.

He explained how hones are put in a pressure mold to prevent warping and then fired at a high heat for a given period. The temp and duration determined the final type. He have me some specifics on what to use for binders which I wrote down and will have to find again.

A way around the pressure mold requirement was to place the wet mixture in a plastic "tent" and make a 1" slot in the plastic. Wait 3-6 months until the mixture is dry then it can be fired in a kiln. Any moisture in the mix would cause the it to bad things in the kiln.

Randy, of you could find those notes about the binders that would be great...

Been experimenting with various binders, getting some encouraging results... but the 9-5 has slowed me down for now.

Thanks

If I can find those notes I will. If not then I will stop over and TT that guy again and report back. I am really busy now so it may take awhile.

I hope you guys keep working on this. I look forward to hearing about your findings.

The suspense it building ...

I pursued that path with a company with lots of experience making hones. The problem is not the mix or the final finishing. The problem is making it pay. If you order 1000 hones, you may be able to become competitive with the companies that are already in place and doing business. The first 1000 hones will probably cost about $30,000 to $40,000.

Now, having said that, far be it from me to discourage you from trying out your ideas. Go for it and if you'd like to chat, I'd be happy to brainstorm with you. I don't feel the last word has been written for those in pursuit of ... the perfect edge.

Why don't you go find a new hone mine? I'm sure the hones are out there just waiting to be discovered.

Just a thought - might try liquid hide glue. It's hard, but friable, very slow setting, so layers of it should level out well. Maybe paint on a layer, sift abrasive on, level with a brush, let dry, paint another layer on, etc. etc.etc.
Or possibly just mix the abrasive in and paint the layers on............Mike

I once worked in an abrasives factory. They made the stones by molding the abrasive mixture using a 50-ton hydraulic press before they were put into the kiln for firing.

Originally Posted by Howard

I pursued that path with a company with lots of experience making hones. The problem is not the mix or the final finishing. The problem is making it pay. If you order 1000 hones, you may be able to become competitive with the companies that are already in place and doing business. The first 1000 hones will probably cost about $30,000 to $40,000.

Now, having said that, far be it from me to discourage you from trying out your ideas. Go for it and if you'd like to chat, I'd be happy to brainstorm with you. I don't feel the last word has been written for those in pursuit of ... the perfect edge.

Making barber hones may sound like “reinventing the wheel” but if there weren’t innovative people “reinventing the wheel”… we would still be driving the Model-T.

If you browse through “The Forge”… you may ask yourself… “these crazy guys go through the trouble, expense and hazard… hammer, grind, heat treat, polish, make scales… and create some of the most beautiful razors I have ever seen”… and for what?... profit is just the gravy… they enjoy it.

Only thing slowing me down on this project is my 9-5, and the kids (wife just want me to sell all my razors)... lolol.