Thread: QUESTION ABOUT HONING /BARBERS HONE

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Also keep in mind that while Swaty is a well known name, they are not the only great barber hones out there, and the name can easily drive up the price. Hi_bud_gl started a thread about lots of different barber hones and what they are like, and he's also extremely knowledgable about barber hones. I'd suggest checking that thread and/or shooting him a PM to see if he could recommend a good one.

Maybe a good Wiki entry would be a few barber hones that are fine and fast cutters so that new guys will have a place to look for suggestions.

This is absolutely good advice. There a a lot of barber hones that do a great job. Swaty's are well known and are starting to command a premium on e-bay, as are some others. Hi_bud_gl (aka Sham) is the man to see about information. Check the recommended thread.

You're better off looking for them in antique stores, thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets because most barber hones and particularly swatys are usually way - like 400-600% - overpriced in the "scene". It seems a lot of people like to "flip" them.

Lol and I use my Escher like a barber hone so if you really feel like dropping some dough... lol.

Originally Posted by khaos

Lol and I use my Escher like a barber hone so if you really feel like dropping some dough... lol.

Any finisher can be used like a barber hone; a barber hone is really just a faster than average finisher (well, the ones I used were pretty fast, I assume they must not all be fast). The only real difference is average price (usually a result of name recognition, brand or stone type) and maybe availability.

Yeah my Escher is actually a no-name brand vintage Thury I picked up for the bargain price of $40. I've rediscovered it lately and it puts a killer edge on razors up there with the finish I got from an Escher I used at a meet. I think before I just had worse technique but as I get better its really getting there. That said the Swaty is definitely VERY fast and almost as smooth so.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Any finisher can be used like a barber hone; a barber hone is really just a faster than average finisher (well, the ones I used were pretty fast, I assume they must not all be fast). The only real difference is average price (usually a result of name recognition, brand or stone type) and maybe availability.

i have to respectfully disagree with this idea. There is a differences between barber hones and final finishing hone escher.japanese.coticule etc. We cannot use barber hones as a finisher. Simple way to explain above is this . Most barber hones advised to make no more then4_6 strokes. Final finishing hones you can make 100 strokes. Another way may be this one easier to understand.edge comes out off from barber hones lastes a lot less then from finisher. Compare days to monthsin order. Hope this helps

Very few actual barber hones in junk shops and on Ebay in the UK. Those few on Ebay seem to get bid up to 60-70% of new Norton 4K/8K prices.