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.