Thread: To Each, His Hone

I thought it might be fun to start a thread where people can say what their favorite hones are and why. The title is a kind reminder that this is a matter of personal preferences, so no one can be wrong.

Naniwas - I love them because they feel smooth/soft, give a nice suction/feedback, leave the edge with shallow scratches, and yet remove metal very quickly. they are also very consistent.

Asagi - My Asagi is smooth as can be, and the level of feedback makes it very easy for me to tell if my razor is keen or not.

Step right up, share your thoughts!

My Shapleigh Diamond Hone barber hone.....because its my one and only hone.

I didn't have a DMT - then I got one. It was my favourite hone.

I didn't have an MST thuringian, then I got one. It was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a translucent white arkansas, then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a coticule, then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a naniwa 10,000 - then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a naniwa 12,000 - then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a shapton gs 16,000 then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

I didn't have a jnat then I got one - it was my favourite hone.

They have all come and most have gone, but the shapton 16,000 remains. I must be in love.

I have left some out deliberately, and no doubt forgotten others that served me well in their time.

To paraphrase Julio Inglesias:

To all the hones I've love before,
Who travelled in and out my door,
I'm glad they come along,
I dedicate this song
To all the hones I've loved before.

Regards,
Neil

I've not got many hones, but without doubt my favourite was the first I bought: natural bbw/coticule combo, 40mm x 175mm. Three reasons: first, narrowness means it works a dream with blades which might have slight imperfections like smiles, frowns, or uneven spine. Second, the coti side is very hard and produces a superior edge than my other (softer) cotis. Finally, it's small enough to travel with.

I have the 1/4/8/16k Shapton glass stones and I love 'em! They're very consistent, easy to lap, give good feedback and put great edges on all my razors.

I want to add the 500, the 2k and the 30k to that little lot now..!

I only have the Nortons, 220/1k, 4k/8k where all I used and then I added the C12k. I don't have any comparative experiences but I've never had any problems with what I have producing a smooth edge and a BBS face

It is hard to decide between my 8x3 natural Coticule/BBW combo or the Escher. Some of my razors are better being finished on one versus the other. I am learning their preference.

I scored a nice old 8x2 glued combo coticule off of the bay for pennies due to the seller mislabelling the auction.

I picked a blade to hone that was troublesome for me on the Norton 4/8 k. After some laps on the 8x2, it was tuned up and shave ready.

Haven't looked back since.

Hard to say which one of the 'kids' I love the most. A natural coticule combo and a couple of different Eschers standout in my mind but the Naniwas and my single grit Norton 4 & 8 are also well used and loved.

I am partial to the Shapton 16k glass stone.

When my progression gets to the 16k, I know I'm home free.