Clarification on Barber hones

[FTG]

After reading the FAQs etc and searching threads - I'm still a bit confused about the place of Barber hones.

This is how I understand it:

Barber hones - used for touching up the blade as needed when blade starts to dull.

If blade is nicked or needs proper restoration work - that's when you need the other hones

• Alternative to barber hone - pasted strops.
• Coticle (forgot spelling) - is this like a barber hone?
• In an online barber manual (linked from here) it gave me the impression that this was the only hone they used - and that they varied the pressure (heavier at first, then lighter for finishing) - maybe I misinterpreted this.

Thanks,
Michael.

[VeeDubb65]

You pretty much have it down.

Barber hones are primarily used for touch-ups, and are not really any good for major edge repair.

A coticule is a natural stone, which depending on the particular stone and the way it is used, can be effective for serious honing, finishing and/or touch-ups.

I'm not sure if the reference you read was talking about barber hones or coticules, but either one 'can' be used for the whole process.

We've had past members who developed systems for honing with a single coticule all the way from setting a bevel to finishing, so that is certainly doable.

Going through the entire process with just a barber hone is technically possible, but I don't know anybody who has ever done it. They are VERY slow hones, so it would take an incredible amount of time and effort. if a razor was actaully chipped, you'd probably eat half way through a barber hone before you got it shaving again.

[FTG]

Thanks for answering those questions.

So I guess barber hones (or pasted strops) are handy for most people to have for 'between hones'.

But if you want to do serious work (and not send your razor out for honing)., you need to invest in some more serious stones.

All the best,
Michael.

[VeeDubb65]

You're correct, except that regular touch ups on a barber hone can keep a razor in perfect shaving condition indefinitely. That's the advantage to a barber hone vs a pasted strop. Over time, a pasted strop will slowly round the bevel of your razor. At first this is a good thing, but eventually it would have to be re-honed. (no idea how long that would take, but it will happen at some point) Because a barber hone is flat, your bevel will stay flat as well.

If you use a barber hone correctly, 2-5 laps when the razor just starts to tug a little too much while shaving, and avoid doing anything clumsy like rolling or chipping the edge, it will never need to be re-honed.

Many barber hones (like mine) are 2-sided. With these, the coarse side can be used first to restore a slightly rolled edge or micro-chips. (generally only 1-3 laps)

[nun2sharp]

If I were limited to one or the other, I would pick the barbers hone over the pasted strop, even with the pasted strop you will still need the barbers hone eventually.

[ronnie brown]

which side of the hone is the finest the one with the lable or the flat side on a swaty

[Utopian]

which side of the hone is the finest the one with the lable or the flat side on a swaty

This is a point of contention.
Some Swatys, like the Alumin, are supposed to have different grits on the two sides with the label side being the finer of the two. I have never had an Alumin, but the insert sheet describing the two sides is archived within this forum. I suspect all of the other Swatys are homogeneous, with both sides being identical. I base this speculation on 1) my use of Swatys, 2) my microscopic examination of Swatys, and 3) the fact that all other Swaty instructions do not mention two distinct sides.

[JimmyHAD]

This is a point of contention.
Some Swatys, like the Alumin, are supposed to have different grits on the two sides with the label side being the finer of the two. I have never had an Alumin, but the insert sheet describing the two sides is archived within this forum. I suspect all of the other Swatys are homogeneous, with both sides being identical. I base this speculation on 1) my use of Swatys, 2) my microscopic examination of Swatys, and 3) the fact that all other Swaty instructions do not mention two distinct sides.

This is something I'm really curious about. I posted the instructions that came with my Alumin and then was surprised to read some other instructions for a Swaty that didn't mention one side being finer. On the alumin the label side is finer according to the instructions. Looking at a standard 3 line versus a long alumin they appear identical to the naked eye.

[hi_bud_gl]

After reading the FAQs etc and searching threads - I'm still a bit confused about the place of Barber hones.

This is how I understand it:

Barber hones - used for touching up the blade as needed when blade starts to dull.

If blade is nicked or needs proper restoration work - that's when you need the other hones

• Alternative to barber hone - pasted strops.
• Coticle (forgot spelling) - is this like a barber hone?
• In an online barber manual (linked from here) it gave me the impression that this was the only hone they used - and that they varied the pressure (heavier at first, then lighter for finishing) - maybe I misinterpreted this.

Thanks,
Michael.

You understand right but there is a little needs to be add to this.
Barber hones 2 sided ones you can even sharpen blade (if you want you can take small chips out too).problem is will take longer time. that is all. They have 2 side 1 is courser then other side. you can use courser side sharpen and use finish side next.
hope this helps.

[mrsell63]

I have only one Swaty and the bottom side has a glaze finish on it. My guess is that it was meant to be used only on the top side. I got the stone from my barber back in the 60's and he told me to hone on the top side only.

However, I'm on the lookout for a Swaty with two useable sides. Last week I dressed the edge of my GENCO Jessup and it only took 5 light laps. I would recommend a Swaty to anyone for edge maintenance. Keep it flat... I use an old Carborundum 118S to lap my Swaty.

My barber also recommended that I use lather to both hone a razor and lap the stone.

Jerry ~~~~~~~~~~