Thread: when to use a barber hone?

All i wanted to know is, before you shave, do you use the barber hone then strop or strop then use the hone?

You shouldnt use a barber hone on a regular basis. You only use them once the razor starts to pull or is not shaving as well, and then you do half a dozen strokes on the hone, strop and test shave. If its still not there, then do another half a dozen, strop and test shave again.

If that doesnt do it then you'll probably need to drop to a lower grit stone or send the razor out to be honed by a pro.

Barber hones are basically a high grit touch up stone and can be used in lieu of a pasted strop to restore an edge that is starting to dull.

If you use a barber hone each time you shave you will wear the razor out in short order (or risk overhoning it), so only use it once the razors performance starts to fade.

+1, just when needed.

I normally keep a barber's hone right in my shave den. If a razor needs a quick touch-up I do it right after I finish shaving. Just slap some lather on the hone and give it 6 passes up and back. Often that is all that is needed to refresh the edge.

I understand that it's once in a while, but when you do have to use it, do you hone before you stop or after?

Before the strop.

If the razor pulled during your shave, or was generally uncomfortable:

1. Take your shave brush loaded with some leftover lather, and lather up your barber's hone.
2. Do 6-12 round trips on the hone,
3. Clean off the razor with your shave towel or some tissue.
4. On to the strop, 50 on the linen/fabric, then 50 on the leather.

Next time you got to shave, strop her again and shave. Still uncomfortable? Repeat steps 1-4.

Stropping on plain leather is always the final operation before putting the blade to your face.