Thread: The Elusive Barber's Hone

I'd like to purchase a barber's hone for occasional touch-ups on my razors... but cannot really find a good selection anywhere. It seems that the supply of hones <= 8000 grit is plentiful, but not so for > 10,000.

I've found Chinese 12k stones on Classicshaving.com and Woodcraft.com for anywhere between $20 and $45. Fendrihan.com sells Naniwa waterstones around 12,000 grit for around $90. Any thoughts on these?

I've heard forum members sing the praises of Swaty's and other barber's hones. Where can I get these? SRP Classifieds don't seem to house many (if any) barber's hones and ebay is just as sporadic (and dodgy).

If somebody would point me in the right direction I would be grateful

There is one on the classifieds right now. They are frequently on Ebay as well. Or antique shops. Like anything vintage, you have to hunt.

I got mine from eBay TBH. As long as you dont get one with any chips or massive wear you should be fine. Search for "razor hone" and it'll probably bring up a few dozen auctions.

Glen sells a few on his store Gemstar Customs, so you might check there as well.

Other than that its the classifieds here!

To the best of my knowledge there are no current manufacturers of barbers hones, you can often find them on ebay and sometimes in the SRP classifieds, I believe there are several under hones and honing.

Thanks all. I suspected barber hones were no longer manufactured but wasn't certain.

@livingontheedge, noticed you're in Ottawa as well... I'm planning to check Lee Valley tools on Greenbank later today. They offer products similar to Woodcraft.com and perhaps I can find something in the 12,000 to 14,000 grit range there.

Our own Gssixgun frequently has them for sale on his website.He has one now:
Scroll down near the bottom of the page.

Gem Star Customs - Razors For Sale

Was this one not appealing? C-MON BARBER HONE (touch up hone) - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

What about these two http://www.gemstarcustoms.com/index...._for_sale.html

You are in luck! All of the hones that you have mentioned will do the job!
The barber hones have the advantage of being small,quick and convenient. The high grit Shapton Glass and the Naniwa hones are first rate. The CH12K is a proven natural stone but it is a slow cutter and not suitable, IMHO, as a quick touch up hone.

Now you have the tough work, ....make a decision!

Hi all, thanks for your replies. I wasn't sure if any of the vendors actively carried these but it seems like its more of a search-and-find deal. Thanks for pointing out the classifieds ad, didn't see that when I posted. Also didn't know that glen sold these so that helps too. I'm still not sure if I"ll go with a barber's hone vs the cheaper chinese 12k.... have some thinking to do.

In my case it would seem that the more or harder you look for vintage stones the better your chances become of finding one.

Good luck in your decision and finding what your searching for, there is just something about vintage items that call my name.