Thread: Difference in Carborundum Hones

At a glance the 200/201 seem to be the 2 to aim for.

I've got a few 'hardware store' hones that are akin to the 112. Might even be that typ/brand, hard to say because there was no box and the brand long since worn away. Nothing I'd use for razors unless heavy work was necessary, but they do make excellent knife hones.

80 % of my Carborundums are for knives only, I posted the ones that might help with razors,, except for that particular Aloxite above.

Originally Posted by Marshal

At a glance the 200/201 seem to be the 2 to aim for.

I've got a few 'hardware store' hones that are akin to the 112. Might even be that typ/brand, hard to say because there was no box and the brand long since worn away. Nothing I'd use for razors unless heavy work was necessary, but they do make excellent knife hones.

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!

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

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.

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


Nah. Call it explorer territory!

Explorer territory, hah! I like that!

I'm finding that in the passed 3 months or so my skill has diminished some. So I guess I should hold off exploring until I regain my feel for it...might even be time to revisit the 4/8, because something is most certainly out of whack. Won't be doing any Swaty trials until I pin the basics back down.

But in the mean time it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for any neat little tidbits to add to the collection. Always nice to have something to play with once one 'gets their edge back.' *

* Apologies for the terrible kind of unintended pun.