Looking for Barber's Hone

Hello all, Im new here. Great informative forum you all have here. :)

I just started shaving with a straight razor about a month ago. Currently, I have a shave ready Shumate #222 and its been a treat to work with. I also purchased a strop and I am starting to get used to it. Also, last week I just purchased another straight that will be here hopefully in the coming week.

The more I get used to the straight, the more I enjoy it. Each time I use it it draws me in like a little Nymph.;) Its almost like the first stage of falling in love, that passion, lust and whatnot... Learning each others nuances, traits and habits...

Anyway, I don't think I will need a full set of hones anytime soon, since I don't plan on restoring straights. At least not yet. Realistically, what I need is a barbers hone (or similar) as I just need something to maintain that gleaming edge. I have read about 100 posts on the forum today about hones and my head is becoming dizzy, I probably over did it a bit ;)

So, I guess its time to call in some support...

I have read about Swaty, Swaty 3 line, Panama, Iamapeech, DD, Carborundum, Arkansas Translucent (not certain thats a barbers) and a few others.

I'm looking for more of a maintenance hone, so I think that 3 line Swaty is out - as from what I gather its a little rougher. I am assuming that since I really only want to get one hone - a double sided hone with a high polish side and a slightly lower grit... is probably best?

I understand the old school barber hones are really hard. So, I would need to make certain it was lapped and beveled in advance. I looked in the Classified section and didnt see what I was looking for. Also, please note I am on a budget at the moment.

Any chance someone here has a nice one they no longer need that would fit the bill? Im looking for something I could pass down to my son one day. So, I would love one thats in good condition and will last a life time (or 3).

Thanks in advance =)

Have you checked your local antique stores and flea markets? Lapping a barber hone takes some work but you can do it yourself. I wouldn't limit myself to purchasing one lapped, it just limits your options. All you need is a flat surface, some sandpaper and elbow grease. You can pick up a flat marble tile at Lowes or somewhere for a couple bucks. Some 80 grit drywall sanding screen to start out would make the job go quicker, then move to wet/dry sandpaper to finish. Take a look at the hone lapping wiki. One of our members was also offering free lapping IIRC, you pay shipping.

You could also put a WTB message in the classifieds.

Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will have one they want to get rid of.

Welcome to SRP BTW! :) Good luck with your search.

Thanks, sadly the few antique stores by me dont carry any wet shaving stuff. When they do get something, its gone in a hurry or so I am told.

If I cant find a lapped one, I can take a crack at it...

Just a quick bump, hopefully bumps are ok here. if not, sorry =)

Try a Want To Buy in the Classifieds
Strops & Hones - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Thanks, already did =)

Theres nothing wrong with a Swaty, it and the keen kutter combo as well as the Shapleigh are my favorites, I dont lap them either and still get good results.

Thanks Ill add them to the list of hones to look for...

continue stopping at the antique store,the owner's always (usually) ask what your looking for let them know,you may walk in and get "hey guess what i have,thought i see if you wanted it...."), this happens to me :)

Thanks =)

I hit 5 antique stores today at lunch... not a one had anything. Two of them were pretty big antique malls. I totally thought there would have been something in at least one of them...

On a side note I got their cards. Since they really are not near my home... I figure I can call them a couple times a month.

There was one cool find though I went to an old barber shop. They had a bunch of old razors on display (most not in too good of condition) I asked if he would be willing to part with a few... he said maybe so I got his card =) Sadly, no hones...

Still looking =)

:aargh:

no luck yet, just just a friendly bump.

Hi MUI,

Just wondering, did you ever find what you were looking for?
I also am a bit confused; everybody seems to have their own opinions/preferences about what is best, and the TLA's (three letter abbreviations) are manifold.
I only wish to refresh my Dovo Stainless when it loses its edge and I am looking at a Belgian Blue Whetstone/Yellow Coticule combo. Can I expect success with just water and these, and then a plain canvas and leather strop?
Will I need to 'raise a slurry'? If so, how?
Is a 12k/15k hone a luxury I can indulge myself in later?

One more thing: when would you backhone?

Regards,
AD

Can also check out Ebay
- use "razor hone", "barber hone", "razor stone".

There are usually a few going at any time - not too expensive either. I picked up mine this way.

Before you buy do a search at SRP on 'barber hone' (see 'search' button at top) then click 'advanced search' - select hone section.
There will be a number of posts discussing barber / razor hones.

I like having mine - they're compact enough to leave in the bathroom for touch ups (safely in my razor box).

All the best,
Michael.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adydye

Hi MUI,

Just wondering, did you ever find what you were looking for?
I also am a bit confused; everybody seems to have their own opinions/preferences about what is best, and the TLA's (three letter abbreviations) are manifold.
I only wish to refresh my Dovo Stainless when it loses its edge and I am looking at a Belgian Blue Whetstone/Yellow Coticule combo. Can I expect success with just water and these, and then a plain canvas and leather strop?
Will I need to 'raise a slurry'? If so, how?
Is a 12k/15k hone a luxury I can indulge myself in later?

One more thing: when would you backhone?

Regards,
AD

---

Ok this should help both you guys
the bbw/yellow coti combo will be more than up to the job, if you are on a budget just go with a yellow coti bout, there the cheaper ones with an irregular shape but they work just as well as a posh squarer one, to refresh a blade the yellow with just water is perfect, it will give you the sharpest smoothest edge that you could ever wish for (IMHO)
with a slurry the yellow will do everything from bevel correction down to almost shave ready, and a perfect progression is: yellow with slurry, bbw with slurry, yellow with water, linen strop, leather strop. thats what I do, and I get an edge that leaves nothing to be desired. nothing.

Dont bother with the bbs and just water, it is too fine to make any noticeable difference, but with a slurry it will give you a keener edge than a yellow coti.

A barbers hone is a lovely thing to own but its use is very limited, I am looking at one now, and if I get it I dont expect it to give me results that are any better than I get with my Coticules.

Check out the Honing section in the wiki Here and read Sir Barts Technique on A simple honing method with DMT-E, Belgian Blue Whetstone and Coticule This Guy is a Master at this, one of the most passionate guys on here, and a true Gentleman, His advice has saved me months of hard work and effort, oh yeah He is my friend too hahaha

Hope this Helps
Ralfy

You back stone when the razor is over honed. I just back stoned two razors a Boker and a Robeson. Both razors were restored from deep pits. Starting with a DMT 600, King 1200, Kind 4000/8000 pyramid. They were not evenly sharp. When this happens I back stone 4 strokes on my Apart and hone 8 strokes or until the thumb nail test gives a slight saw tooth feel. I then strop.
Has worked for me several times.

It's all starting to come together a bit more now!
I'm just reading Bart's guide which Ralfy recommended.

I'm thinking you don't have to reset the bevel [B]every[B] time you hone, and if that's the case, how do you tell when you need to reset the bevel?
AD

You reset the bevel when the razor is nicked or will not come sharp no matter how you try to touch it up.

Thank you jreiter22 - one more thing, I read that it is as well to protect the back/spine with insulating tape while honing (especially with a decorated razor). You would also use insulating tape to raise the spine to create an angle for the bevel; what if you only want to protect while touching up and not set the bevel?
AD

I use packaging tape on the spine when resetting an edge. The heavier tape with the strings in it. The black electrical tape I have makes more of a mess on the stones and does not stick to the blade as well. I also use the thinner tape on the 1200. I am restoring a lot of razors some have nicks as deep as the bevel. After forty razors I am beginning to understand Lynns advice. Keep your pressure on the blade low most of the pressure wares the spine not the edge. I use several layers of tape when removing deep nicks with circles on my coarse aluminum oxide stone. After the nicks are gone and the razor is knife sharp I go to the DMT 600 and reduce the layers of tape. After that to the 1200 king and then finish up on the 4000 8000. If you are not restoring nicked razors and keep your pressure to the weight of the razor you should not need to tape.

Very useful thanks!
Are any the razors I've seen on Ebay yours?

Yes, try #130337309153 then click on "see other items" in the top rated seller block to the right of the screen. The shaving items are mine. The eBay selling is why I started using packing tape when the electrical tape failed me.