Thread: What Exaclty Is a Barber's Hone?

I know this is a dumb question but..

Is a Barber's hone just a very fine hone like a Naniwa 10,000 or 12,000 grit?

I ask because when I google Barber's Hones to look for one, I only get back antiques like the Franz Swaty or something similar. I know they are generally made of ceramic, but that's about all I know.

I went to a barber shop supply site, and they have hard Arkansas stones for barbers, but I'm not sure that's the same thing.

Also, to add to your question... I read many times in this forum that a barber's hone edge won't last as long as that of a whetstone. Are there any facts and explanations to back this up?

A barber hone is an extremely hard, synthetic whetstone made specifically for straight razors. The standard size is 5" x 2 1/2". Sometimes they're longer, but for the most part they're thin and pocket-sized, convenient for a quick touchup in the barber shop . They're usually baked in a mold, so to speak (as opposed to sawed from a larger piece), with the brand name as part of the mold at one end.

Barber hones aren't manufactured anymore, and just about all of them you'll find are indeed antiques. They're usually 6-8K, with a few reputedly finer than that, but barber hones rarely (if ever) have a stated grit. There are plenty of modern synthetic hones of comparable fineness and with stated grit size, but they're not barber hones. Probably the closest thing to a modern barber hone would be the spiderco ultrafine ceramic hone.

Barber hones can be had for a song on ebay. The reason we don't usually direct newbies to them is that there are so many of them, of varying quality and each with their own quirks, and they're very hard to lap if they have any chips, and and and and...... In short, barber hones are good for those who are prepared to go it alone. They are not a good standard recommendation for beginning honers because there's no way for everyone to be on the same page.

I have never heard – and would be surprised to hear – that the edge they impart is less durable than that coming from any other kind of stone.

dylandog,

Thanks for that great information. So if I just wanted to maintain my edge between honings, would I use a 10,000 or 12,000 or either?

Barbers used the same few razors all day so they needed an edge that would stand up so the edge they got from their barbers hone was just the medicine they needed and the razors shaved great. These days most of us here are obsessed with the ultimate and so we are on an unended quest to find that perfect hone which gives that ultimate edge.

Personally I find the Coticule or Escher gives me what I need in a razor. Barber hones work too. I don't like em but many do.

Originally Posted by Alembic

dylandog,

Thanks for that great information. So if I just wanted to maintain my edge between honings, would I use a 10,000 or 12,000 or either?

There are some barber hone experts on SRP, who will probably weigh in here soon. I'm not one of them. But yes, maintenance between honings is precisely what barber hones are for, and if you get a good one you'll be satisfied. As Bigspendur says, there are also plenty of other options – natural or synthetic waterstones, etc. You don't need a 10-12K hone for a nice edge (technique and experience count for more), but if you do want something that high, you'll probably need to bypass barber hones.

Barber hones some people call touch up hones. There is 2 different grit barber hones available too. Which you can use course side sharpen razor and fine side for final touch up.
Barber hones Generally very fast cutting stones. That is their function . To make 2-6 strokes and you done move on to shave.
To compare final finish hones to barber hones i think is not right thing to do.
They have both different function.
Edge comes out of final finish hones will last months .
Edge domes out of barber hone will last days.
Purpose of using that 2 hones is different too.
you can use barber hone and keep your blade in shave ready condition answer is yes.
You need to know how to use it and basically this applies to every single hone.
there is may be millions barber hones made.
Some are great quality and price could go up to 500 or more.
some are bad quality or because of time they just get bad . Join compound looses it is quality etc.
We have thread which name is " barber hones characteristics" if you can find that thread it could help.
hope this helps.gl

dylandog,

So does that mean that an 8k will work to touch up?

I am getting ready to buy hones, and I was looking to get a touch up hone first ( although I could easily be talked into a 1k, 5k, 8k and 10 or 12k Naniwa). Yes I am looking to learn to be able to go from bevel to shave ready.

Thanks for your input.

David

Originally Posted by Alembic

I know this is a dumb question but..

Is a Barber's hone just a very fine hone like a Naniwa 10,000 or 12,000 grit?
.....

Not a dumb question.....

One important bit is that they are not made anymore and
as such there is no driving marketing engine to fuel the
market and information pipes.

I suspect the best advice is to try to go with the last honing stone
used by the honemaster last to touch your razor and
get it the way you like it. Some may prove rare or expensive
so look for equivalents.

The modern man made hones cut fast so the equivalent of
a Naniwa at 10,000 or 12,000 grit with a gentle hand should
keep a blade way sharp and strop ready for a very long time.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Edge comes out of final finish hones will last months .
Edge domes out of barber hone will last days..

Why's that?