Thread: The X-Hones

Just picked up today stone similar to Olivias' last one (the grey on the bottom). Size is 50x210x25mm. As well glazed like that one and previously used with oil. i was told that it was Charnley Forrest and it does look like the one shown on B&B by Chess1. While here tried to find a link which I could use for recognising Esher hone. I think I had one today in my hand but could not take a picture and had not more money to buy it. Can anybody chip in?

As I promissed there are the pics.
Was told that it should be Charnley but it feels different from Charnleys I have and colour is different too. It is olive green/lightgrey colour with grey spots. Copper coin did not scratch it and as yours very glazed.
Sorry did my best with pictures. once I have sorted my job a new camera is on the list.

Thank you!
Even the case is similar but honesty I doubt it is a Charnley forest.
Mine has no veins or other irregular structure and I guess once your's is lapped, it will look quite plain as well.
The pics are very much allright when you lighten them up with a bit of photoshop.

Those spots are not irregular they are more like evenly/thickly spread all over. Because I was not 100% I posted it here. Does it deseve to be mysterious X hone? I have another one just arrived which I think is Wa****a but will clean it first as it is very gunky.

Why not!?! Anything we're not completely sure about.

I'm curious about the ones beenpickin posted.
Didn't Oldengaerde have one like that in the "not a piece of wood" thread?

Yes, the similarity is striking. That one was tentatively identified as a Dalmore Yellow. Quite a lot of senior members and hone aficionados will attend the Mid-MO meeting; I'm looking forward to their expert judgement of Beenpickin's hones.

About the greenish one: I'm quite sure it isn't a Charnley Forest. None of my CF's nor any of the CF' I've seen so far have an exactly regular rectangular shape. The top is mostly wider than the bottom, the width often tapers a bit towards the ends, and (even quite large) imperfections along the edge are common.

Also, although the texture can be uneven, if it is, it is so in an irregular way; usually in streaks or patches, often with a bit of purplish red, never in a more or less regular mottled sort of way.

Lastly, upon close inspection CF's seem to be made of an inherently translucent material that 'just happens to be' very densly coloured. I cannot quite explain, but it is not unlike glazed porcelain. It is the sensation that you seem to be able to look into the stone to a certain minute depth. Chips are similar to glazed porcelain ones too, in the sense that they have white rims and fracture shapes like glass or flint, only more irregular.

Oh glad you brought this on.
Got sidetracked this morning,

Corborundum hones Post by D M Ellington of 5/17/09
Most of the old barbers I have talked to have a corborundum stone. I am curious as to what part these hones have in the process of maintaining or sharpening a razor.

Typical conversation with old barber:

What type of razor do you use - German

What type of strop do you use - Horsehide

What type of hone do you use - Swaty
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Regarding this post of 5/17/09 by D M Ellington: That is exactly what the older barbers used. In 1968, I told my barber I wanted to learn to shave with a str8 and he sold me a Dubl-Duck No 1 Special razor - a No 50 Dubl-Duk horsehide strop + linen back - a three line Swatty barber hone - and a Carborundum Hone which I was told is to be used as a flattening stone - also the carborundum acted as the 4k and the Swatty would act as the 8k if you think in terms of now. My Carborundum is still in the original box and the Swatty is still in the original velvet pouch and plastic bag over the pouch.

One short note of interest.... There are rather pronounced gouges on the side of the Carborundum stone where the last owner/barber rounded off the point of the razor's toe so he wouldn't accidently cut the customer with the toe of the razor. He essentially made a round point out of a square point.


I still use that strop and razor and occasionally I dig the hones out for nostalgic reasons. The more proficient barbers would sharpen razors for other barbers but most of the old barbers I knew back then maintained their own razor's edge.

I hope this answers your question above about the use of Carborundum stones. These are facts I was told many years ago.
JERRY

I bought this lot off eBay:



I am pleased about the barber hones. They are always fun (see? I am having fun). If anyone wants the broken Swaty PM me and I will send it to you for cost of shipping. These were all from a Barber's estate.

The seller was all impressed with the "CRYSTITE" hone (someone fill me in on this one). I was really interested in "Big Yellow" on the left.

I am thinking of something Belgian.

Originally Posted by Pyment

I was really interested in "Big Yellow" on the left.

I am thinking of something Belgian.

I really need to get a camera.

after lapping, "big yellow" was more of a butterscotch color. My thoughts turned to Arkansas translucent, but the scratch pattern under 100X was similar to my other finishing hones. I had a pretty smooth shave off it this AM.