Thread: Traded the Norton for a Carborundum.

Just to elaborate, the Charnley Forest is either a water or oil stone. The instructions on Swaty barber hones say they can be used dry, with water, lather or Swaty oil. Of course some guys use translucent and black hard Arkansas oil stones on razors as well. There may be others but those are all I'm aware of.

I think hones are much like razors - if you don't really know what you are looking for, you are better off buying from someone who does. Synthetic hones, however, are about the same price new or used, so I would suggest buying one from a retailer in order to save time and energy.

I know hunting for something vintage, especially at a good price, is fun and rewarding, but, as you are seeing, if you do find something unknown you then have to track down info or test the hone extensively to see what you really got.