Thread: Using the back of a barber hone?

I've been thinking of lapping the backs of my barber hones because hone makers had this irritating habit of embossing their names into the front, rendering the last inch of the hone unusable, and some of these hones are none too long to begin with. I know there were some dual-grit hones that were meant to be used on both sides, but the ones that weren't...is there any good reason not to use the back? For example, is it possible that grit "settles" while the clay is still wet, thus producing a gradient or something?

Funny, I've always used the backs and not the fronts for the reason you mention. Single grit barber hones can be used on both sides, but I thought the bottom or back side was the one meant to be used. I have a Zenith barber hone made by Marshall Wells I think and the embossed logo takes up almost half the top of the hone clearly making that hone only practical to use on the bottom unfettered side.

I've had no problems at all lapping all sides of the single grit barber hones I have and I've lapped probably 15 now. The key for me is that they have to be lapped with a progression of finer grits. I lap mine all the way up to 1200 DMT D8E. I've tried lapping past that on an 8"x3" Belgian Blue but the stiction is basically unworkable. Stopping with lapping on a 325 Grit DMT makes for a surface that I don't like.

Chris L

I have only lapped about 5-6 barber hones, and they are uniform on top and bottom...unless they are a 2 sided hone of course. I prefer the backside too... but my wife knows that already.


Edit: oh god, if she sees this she is going to KILL ME. For the love of all things holy, I am joking.

Originally Posted by Chris L

I thought the bottom or back side was the one meant to be used.

I don't think so, because on a lot of my hones (actually all except the Swatys), the side with the logo has nicely chamfered edges, while the other side doesn't.

Hmmmm, on my single grit barber hones the top and bottom work equally well. IIRC, my 3 line did not have chamfered edges when I bought it. That could have been owner intervention on yours?

Ah, I see you said all BUT your Swatys. I definitely have other brand hones that did not have chamfered edges on the top side.

Good question for sure.

Chris L

Originally Posted by joke1176

I have only lapped about 5-6 barber hones, and they are uniform on top and bottom...unless they are a 2 sided hone of course. I prefer the backside too... but my wife knows that already.


Edit: oh god, if she sees this she is going to KILL ME. For the love of all things holy, I am joking.

Will she be home for the MO gathering? If so, I'll bring my laptop!

Most barber hones, including Swatys (except for the Swaty Alumin), are homogeneous throughout so there is no reason to use the logo side.

I think we've all become a little spoiled with our 8" long stones.

I've watched a couple old timers use a barber hone and they both used a circular stroke...basically keeping the blade on the same spot of the stone and doing small circles while moving the blade across the stone rather than the one continuous sweeping stroke along the full length of the stone that most of us are used to.

Now having said that there is no reason you couldn't use the back side.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Most barber hones, including Swatys (except for the Swaty Alumin), are homogeneous throughout so there is no reason to use the logo side.

Cool. Looks like I gots me some lapping to do. Tho I'm in no hurry because I've been maintaining my razors using only the Chinese 12K.

Note: In another thread I said my Chinese 12K was NOT aggressive enough to maintain an edge, but as it turns out, it IS aggressive enough, PROVIDED I touch up often & don't wait until there is noticeable deterioration.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Will she be home for the MO gathering? If so, I'll bring my laptop!...

If you do that, I have a barber hone in a tube sock I would like to show you.

Originally Posted by joke1176

If you do that, I have a barber hone in a tube sock I would like to show you.

Yeah, but who wouldn't want a Swaty imprint in their forehead?

Chris L