Someone here mentioned that there might be a difference in the coarsness of the sides of hones. That the side with the makers name might be a slightly different grit than the other. Is this true, If so which side is the finest.
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Someone here mentioned that there might be a difference in the coarsness of the sides of hones. That the side with the makers name might be a slightly different grit than the other. Is this true, If so which side is the finest.
This has been a conundrum for barber hones that don't have the different grits specified on the side of the hone like the 00 Frictionite or the itsapeech. These instructions that came with a NOS Swaty I bought say that the side with the embossed name is the finer side. Other Swaty instructions I have seen don't make the distinction. It seems that some barber hones are the same and some are not.
Of course there are also combo barbers hones which have two distinctly different sides with two entirely different grits also.
I've been wondering about this and have a question for you barber hone experts...
So, I've read a bunch of old threads on Swaty's and the general consensus has been that the label side is finer, back being coarser - this based on the original instructions Jimmy noted above. Many posts go on to say that the Swaty's associated with these instructions appear and feel homogenous. I note that the instructions go on to say that when refreshing the hone, use a fine emery on the label side and pumice (or other coarse abrasive - I don't recall verbatim) on the back side. My question is this: Could the hone be homogenous but the surface texture (as left by refreshing with a coarse or fine abrasive) make all the difference in honing characteristics???
I actually monkeyed around with this on my 2-line swaty. I lapped the label side from 325->2k, but only finished the backside to 500. There is a subtle difference in feedback and the backside is seemingly faster (although I'll need to hone more razors on it to tell for sure, could be my imagination).
Don't mean to hijack the thread but seems germaine...
Thanks in advance for any thoughts/comments!
-D
I'm not really a barber hone 'expert' although I've got a few. What I've noticed is that some of the Swaty instructions don't say that one side is coarser than the other. Whether they changed the formula, had more than one model , or just didn't bother is a mystery to me.
In the SRP Wiki image files there is a slightly different set of instructions for a Swaty and they don't specify one side being different from the other. I suppose if someone wanted to hone a test razor and compare scratch patterns under a microscope a trained eye could figure it out.
HMMMMmmm Yeah I haven't noticed that at all on the single hones,,,
I have been doing quite a few lately I lap both sides equally then test both sides for smoothness and no bumps etc: but I sure don't feel a difference between the face and the back... I'll try and pay more attention now...
So, do you folks think it's possible to change the characteristics of a hone by lapping it to a finer versus coarser finish??
-D
Strictly so no.
One possible exception is the first month after
lapping an extra extra fine Spiderco ceramic. These
are so hard and dense that they keep the coarse tooth
of a diamond lap for a long time. Eventually
they wear in and act very very fine indeed.
Also after lapping a resin bonded hone the groves
left by a coarse lap act like channels and wash swarf
and stuff clear of the surface so it might cut faster
for a short time after lapping and "feel" different/
more aggressive.
That makes sense. I suspected the very hard hones might be slightly affected by the finish grit used upon them, for awhile... FWIW, I have read some posts by arkansas aficionados over at B&B that seem to think it's very important to finish the translucents and blacks to a fine grit post lapping in order to get the desired high polish effect.
-D
on most old swaty type hones I have the surface bonding agent deteriorates. Before I lap them they cut really fast ~1-2k, after lapping they bump up to their intended grit.
EDIT- The surface is deteriorated when I buy them.