Thread: Barber hones characteristics

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

FWIW, I just wanted to say +1 on this. I've had three different Swaty's, and all have been uniform stones (as far as I can tell). I had also heard/read somewhere something about them being different on each side, but, as far as I can tell, they are uniform.

The instructions that they came with say that one side is coarser than the other. If we had a Hone Clubs sub forum it would be easy to find info like this. BTW, I have a few Swatys and all of them appear to be the same on either side including the NIB that came with these instructions.

Had you posted that before, Jimmy? Cause now that I'm seeing it, the language looks ever more familiar, and I'm sure I must have seen those specific instructions before. Yes, if there was a Swaty thread, it would indeed have been easier to get a hold of this information.

I see you saying that both sides appear the same. It seems that Sham also agrees, as do I. I wonder if perhaps there is more of one of the cutting agents towards one side as opposed do the other that would make one side cut faster or like a lower grit than the other. Sounds like there may be need for a little experimentation. I just so happen to have a pair of identical, un-honed Henkels 401's and I wouldn't mind lapping the back of my long Swaty and testing front vs back. I'll keep you posted, when I have a chance to try.

Fine hone use only for final touch up. gl