Thread: Barber hone sizes

I own one vintage barber hone that measures 2x5x1/2"(It's a Standard brand, not sure if dixie made these or not).I'm wondering what size the swatys run, and or what are some of the larger barber hones. I have these huge mits for hands and the little standard is difficult for me to hold and hone on, and too small to set on something besides its tendency to slide around.

Originally Posted by Strikur

I own one vintage barber hone that measures 2x5x1/2"(It's a Standard brand, not sure if dixie made these or not).I'm wondering what size the swatys run, and or what are some of the larger barber hones. I have these huge mits for hands and the little standard is difficult for me to hold and hone on, and too small to set on something besides its tendency to slide around.

Most are about the same size....

What does a common brick feel like in your hand?
You can get some low slip shelf liner and put it on
something like a brick (or block of wood) and then set
the hone on it. Since it is not glued in place it might be more
secure to set the base on a table.

EDIT:
If you cut a bit of 2x4" to fit and then take a give away
yard stick and glue some fences on the cut down 2x4
to make a "handle". Finish with some water proofing
varnish.

Some of the boxes so many old stones end
up in are easy to make with hand tools. I
sometimes make hone boxes with scrap pine
and use bamboo or toothpicks and glue so I have no nails.
I make it empty but to fit and when the glue is dry I can
cut it open.

My understanding is that barber hones tend to all be about the same size. I know there are longer Swatys (I had one at one point), but they seem to be pretty rare. Though they are longer, they are no wider or thicker (or near as makes no difference), so, IMO, they aren't really any easier to hold. For me, this is because I find more thickness makes a hone easier to hold.

I do not know of any other larger barber hones, but I am sure they exist. One alternative is to look for other hones that perform similarly to a barber hone and possibly in the same price range (if that is a consideration for you) and to get/look for one.

I've got a long Swaty and it is the same thickness as its shorter cousin. I hear the Spyedeco UF is good in that role and it is certainly longer and can be had in a 8x2 or 8x3 IIRC.