Thread: Barber hones characteristics

Originally Posted by CJBianco

And to be clear, the hones may have subtle differences. The AHC may have changed the grit size, cutting agent, binding ingredients, whatever, to customize the hones for each new client. Who knows? But if I were in the rebranding business, I might give my client a few options so he feels that his product is unique and special.

Me

Hey, all of my hones are unique and special! The AHC made branded hones for a lot of other companies and I have used enough of them to know that there certainly was a lot of variation among them.

As I understand it the first Swatys had two lines of text embossed on the hone. There was a change to three lines of text after the son took over the company. The actual text "three line" did not appear on these hones. Because costumers started requesting the three line Swatys over other barber hones some enterprising folks started stamping thier hones "three line" as a marketing gimmick. It's been I while since I ran across that information and don't remeber where I read it and sure am not saying that they weren't made by Swaty. Maybe someone else has heard this story and knows where it came from.

Originally Posted by Utopian

No, that is not normal. The Aloxite hone was similar in composition to the Sways. They are excellent hones. Without photos, I cannot speculate as to whether or not the hone is degrading, but if it is coarse, then you have nothing to lose by lapping it. Normally, I am loathe to lap a barber hone but you might as well lap this one as it might restore the surface.

the swaty i picked up, while having some chips, and some scratches seemed to otherwise have a factory finish to it seemed 'rough' to me. not like either side of my 00 fricitonite.

anyways, i wondered if this rough finish was intended, and sould cut faster but at the same grit (as the abrassive particles were in fact unchanged and of fine grit).
anywho, between scratches + some heavy wear on the middle of the backside (i really wonder what someone used this hone for, certainly not razors.. luckily the hone was largely in good shape), and curiosity, i lapped the backside. still seemed to cut quickly even after i put some gloss on it.

i've heard people recommending /against/ lapping barber hones (as thought it'll ruin the surface ??).
some say that while not a bad thing it is unnecessary. they tend to be hard and dont wear quickly..

i've seen hones that seemed to have a fatory surface that were ever so slightly dished, or ever so slightly domed (one side dished, one side domed, hehehe), or otherwise uneven (not uniformly flat, and saddled but not from use). maybe if the stone is warped just right it'll fit your warped razor . i prefer to flatten the stone and alter my stroke.

i passed on a carborundom that also felt rough. honestly i didnt even check both sides, maybe that side was the roughest. i had already bought 4 hones that day and hadnt heard much about carborundoms <sp?>

Originally Posted by p.z.

i passed on a carborundom that also felt rough. honestly i didnt even check both sides, maybe that side was the roughest. i had already bought 4 hones that day and hadnt heard much about carborundoms <sp?>

I love the carborundum razor hones! Dirt cheap and buttery smooth. =)

(The best value in barber hones!)


Me

A pdf file showing all known barber hones would be nice.

That would be a huge number:-)

I have a Laudys barber hone that i picked up at an antique store, it says that it was made in Allentown pennsylvania which only about an hr from me. I love this little hone and was wondering if anyone else has one and if so what do they think about them. I will post pictures of it with its instrustions this evening when i have time to upload them, any info or knowladge of this hone would be apperciated.

I just found a web page with an old Manuel on honing with barbers hones,Swatys included,and some methods Ive never heard of,in case anyone's interested (1895) Essay on Barbers' Razors, Razor Hones, Razor Stropes & Razor Honing you might want to print this as its pretty cool and who knows how long it will be there

I have the 00 Frictionite that came in a little green cloth pouch. Bought it just the other day at a local antique store. I had no idea then what it's significance was until I did some further research on it. Quite remarkable stone really. Link of story... The history of the American Hone Company. A chance to buy a piece of history. - BladeForums.com

Pics of my 00 Frictionite:







I also have 2 barber hones, a Pike EMERALD and a Swaty that was made in Yugoslavia.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I just found a web page with an old Manuel on honing with barbers hones,Swatys included,and some methods Ive never heard of...

I love this bit:

"When you feel dull and not in a honing mood, wash your face in plenty of cold water to refresh yourself. This will make you feel like honing."