Thread: Barber hones characteristics

Originally Posted by m0isty

I have one of those Aloxite 200 hones, mine feels coarse and gritty. I was wondering if this is normal for these, or if the binder has broken down and allowing the grit to be released.

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.

Originally Posted by m0isty

I have one of those Aloxite 200 hones, mine feels coarse and gritty. I was wondering if this is normal for these, or if the binder has broken down and allowing the grit to be released.

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.

I too have a dual-grit Aloxite 200 that feels rough. These barber hones are supposed to feel super-smooth, right?

At my disposal I have a DMT D8C, 600 and 1200 grit wet/dry paper, and a flat,lapped and smooth carborundum on the back of a Cotcarb. Will those lap a barber hone? I'll try it, but if it's pointless then I'll look for another solution.

Originally Posted by MarkinLondon

I too have a dual-grit Aloxite 200 that feels rough. These barber hones are supposed to feel super-smooth, right?

At my disposal I have a DMT D8C, 600 and 1200 grit wet/dry paper, and a flat,lapped and smooth carborundum on the back of a Cotcarb. Will those lap a barber hone? I'll try it, but if it's pointless then I'll look for another solution.

No they don't have to be feel super - smooth. Some will feel super-smooth.
example dubl duck wont feel super - smooth but cmon will.
D8C SHOULD BE fine enough.
i very rare lap except escher to 1k level.
325 or 600 just fine. hope this helps

I have two Carborundum 200 Aloxites, and both of them are smooth and similar in texture to Swatys. Perhaps I am wrong in my presumption of that being "normal" for them.

Regardless, you might find that there is sometimes little correlation between how smooth a hone feels and how smoothly it cuts and polishes a razor. MarkinLondon, you mentioned that yours feels coarse but did not mention how it performs on a razor. Have you tried it?

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.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have two Carborundum 200 Aloxites, and both of them are smooth and similar in texture to Swatys. Perhaps I am wrong in my presumption of that being "normal" for them.

Regardless, you might find that there is sometimes little correlation between how smooth a hone feels and how smoothly it cuts and polishes a razor. MarkinLondon, you mentioned that yours feels coarse but did not mention how it performs on a razor. Have you tried it?

No I haven't tried it. I only know it's rough because I was told so. It was delivered to my GF's house, and I'll see it later this week. But I was told it felt rough, much rougher than the BBW I have sitting in the kitchen. I just figured that if a Barber Hone was of such a high grit, it should feel smooth like a natural.

Frankly, if it's as rough as she describes it, i wouldn't even try testing it. I'd just try lapping it.

Is there any place where the approximate comparisons of barber hones with some of the more popular known stones exists?

For example, I have the "Winner" Combination Barber hone. I have seen a couple posts suggesting this is approximately comparble to the Norton 4/8k combo hone.

I know this is not an exact science, but looking at a pile of barber hones in my basement-Winner combo, Reliance Combo, Dubl-Duck combo, Keen Cutter combo, Pike Swaty, SR Droescher...I'd kind of like to have an idea how to range these from coarsest to finest.

Any of you honologists (honographers?) out there able to offer some guidance?

I believe that this thread was begun with exactly that intent in mind.

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.