Thread: The X-Hones

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