Thread: Difference in Carborundum Hones

Originally Posted by Utopian

You've already got a Swaty. If it is in decent shape, then the 200 Aloxite will not offer anything better. The 201 though is very nice and different from what you already have. If a guy has one of those, he doesn't need anything else. Then again, I have found that I can set a bevel on a decent unchipped razor in about 10 minutes, so if a person knows what they are doing and is satisfied with an adequate edge, then just a Swaty is all anyone needs.

Wants are something completely different!

Seems I need to play with the Swaty a little more...I've wondered a time or 2, but if 10 strokes don't get an edge where I want it I tend to go back to the 4K and go from there. On that note, can one have enough barber hones?

I find barber hones and naturals to be where my interest (generally) lies.

I've got a few lines of hones that could be qualified as all one 'needs.' At this point I'm venturing into hoarder territory.

Originally Posted by Marshal

Seems I need to play with the Swaty a little more...I've wondered a time or 2, but if 10 strokes don't get an edge where I want it I tend to go back to the 4K and go from there.

Of course that is a viable option, but if you really want to understand your Swaty, I would suggest that you set aside a couple razors to shave with regularly and only use the Swaty to maintain them for the next few years. In general, the recommendation is to do no more than 4 to 6 very light strokes per touch up and I have found that to work well. Any time you notice any diminishment in the quality of the shave, that is the for the touch up. If after that you still are not satisfied with the edge, repeat on the Swaty the following day. Remember that the barber hones are made with (relatively) very coarse grit that has been burnished smooth. They can be too aggressive for a lot of strokes. That also is the reason why they can be made to be way too coarse if they are lapped on a diamond plate.

Originally Posted by Marshal

On that note, can one have enough barber hones?

Well, I have to admit that I have come pretty close; but a few more are still calling to me.

Originally Posted by Marshal

I've got a few lines of hones that could be qualified as all one 'needs.' At this point I'm venturing into hoarder territory.

Nah. Call it explorer territory!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Thank you for the compliment but I feel guilty that I have not played with them enough in the past few years to keep them fresh in my memory. I'm going to have to pull out all the Carborundums some time soon to review them.

By the way, the 122A is a new one on me. I don't recall seeing that one before and that means that you have one that I do not!

I'm missing several in the lower number range. I usually go for the Carborundum's that are better suited for knives & gift them away to people I know that want a stone to keep their pocket knives honed.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I gift them away to people I know that want a stone to keep their pocket knives honed.

Do they all live in the trunk of your old car, Hirlau?

Let's just say they are safely in a location that smells like old motor oil & vintage upholstery.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Let's just say they are safely in a location that smells like old motor oil & vintage upholstery.

A chop shop?

Originally Posted by 32t

A chop shop?

Nah. Just the trunk of Hirlau's old car!

What U Talk'n Bout ??

Originally Posted by Hirlau

What U Talk'n Bout ??

You know JUST what I am talkin' about, WILLIS!

Sharptonn !! You best stop de-railing this Carborundum thread !!