Thread: Noob question about barber hones

I used a swaty about a year ago to hone my grandfathers razor, it took me most of the night but in the morning I got a fair shave. He had been dead since '65. So what randydance says is true, its just for refreshing the edge unless you have nothing to do for days on end,

The Norton 4/8 has been my go to hone for a long time. Although I do have the Norton 1K it is no longer used. I use 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Much faster cutting and easier on the edge than a DMT.....IMHO.

But... sandpaper is a bit of a PITA.

I have often thought that my 3 Line Swaty would be more effective if I would lap the bottom side of the hone to give it more honing surface. This thread is prompting me to think more seriously about it.

This particular hone is obviously the same on both sides so I will lap it with either a DMT 325 or a Carborundum 118S.

there is a reason barber hones made that size and type.
Most barber hones are very aggressive cutters.
for touch up purposes remember usually you don't have to do more then 4-6 strokes.
In this case in fact i don't think you should be worry about size of the barber hones.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

I have often thought that my 3 Line Swaty would be more effective if I would lap the bottom side of the hone to give it more honing surface. This thread is prompting me to think more seriously about it.

This particular hone is obviously the same on both sides so I will lap it with either a DMT 325 or a Carborundum 118S.

Unless it has significant chipping, try just using it first. If it's loaded with gunk, clean it with oven cleaner first. I say this because it's always best to first try the original surface of the hone before irrevocably altering it by lapping.

I agree with all above. The Velvet is one of the really good barber hones, whose purpose is keeping, not getting, a razor sharp with minimal effort. If you want to sharpen razors, then you need alternatives and Nortons are excellent for that.

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you'd like more specific advice, then please let us know what barber hone you ordered. A picture is also always appreciated since it might be one I don't have.

Really? Seriously,what are the chances? You have the Noah's Ark of barber hones. That thing had at least 2 of everything.

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

Really? Seriously,what are the chances? You have the Noah's Ark of barber hones. That thing had at least 2 of everything.

Hey, there are a lot of hones I don't have and pairing up the ones I do have has not lead to a single baby hone. I'm beginning to suspect that's not how new hones are created.

Most of the barber hones were manufactured by the same company out in Iowa and this woman there had the formula's for making them in her head and when she died the company pretty much closed down.

I used to have alot of those hones but pretty much got rid of them. I kept just one a swatty but I was never a fan of barbers hones anyway. The little devil is actually good to lap the other hones. A good example of a two sided hone is the peaches and cream.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Unless it has significant chipping, try just using it first. If it's loaded with gunk, clean it with oven cleaner first. I say this because it's always best to first try the original surface of the hone before irrevocably altering it by lapping.

I agree, first.....clean it and try it. Lapping a Swaty is a real bear to accomplish and not much, if anything, is gained.