My stepfather told me he remembers his Grandfather (whose razor I have now ) honing his razor. But it was nothing like the process I go through. He said it was quick just a few passes and he was done. So I would guess that he had a barbers hone and just touched up his razors. When my stepfather watched me hone a razor it was dull and I went through the whole process of honing. Oh and the razor I got from him had very little hone ware.