Thread: Coticule Versus Escher circa 1926

If the book is correct than this must be also"If you've only been around sharpening for a few years, you've probably never heard of a carborundum stone. It isn't that these stones don't exist, it is because the current popular language doesn't use the term carborundum to refer to the silicon carbide stone any longer. In short, carborundum is a silicon carbide stone",I got that from sharpening supplies.com,than that means since they come in three grades,course,medium,and fine,doesnt that mean that the fine would be basically a new Swaty?If so than you can get one new that's bigger 6"x3" and cheaper about 17 bucks,or is there some kind of difference that I'm not aware of?

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

In short, carborundum is a silicon carbide stone",I got that from sharpening supplies.com,than that means since they come in three grades,course,medium,and fine,doesnt that mean that the fine would be basically a new Swaty?If so than you can get one new that's bigger 6"x3" and cheaper about 17 bucks,or is there some kind of difference that I'm not aware of?

I'm not clear on your logic. Why do you assume a hone that is listed as "fine" is comparable to a Swaty?

Im not sure- thats why I said unless theres a difference that I dont know about. But if a Swaty is a Fine carburumdum stone ,then shouldnt they be the same?

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

Im not sure- thats why I said unless theres a difference that I dont know about. But if a Swaty is a Fine carburumdum stone ,then shouldnt they be the same?

A Swaty ain't a carborundum stone. It is aluminum oxide. Not that one is better than the other .... maybe it is, I don't know. It is a different abrasive and may be manufactured in a different process. I don't know that either.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

A Swaty ain't a carborundum stone. It is aluminum oxide. Not that one is better than the other .... maybe it is, I don't know. It is a different abrasive and may be manufactured in a different process. I don't know that either.

I know its a pain isnt it. Ask ten different people and get ten different answers.
What are you gonna do?

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

In short, carborundum is a silicon carbide stone",I got that from sharpening supplies.com,than that means since they come in three grades,course,medium,and fine,doesnt that mean that the fine would be basically a new Swaty?If so than you can get one new that's bigger 6"x3" and cheaper about 17 bucks,or is there some kind of difference that I'm not aware of?

Those same old barbers who told me about the coticule back in the '80s swore by the Swaty for the quick touch up hone. They would wear the shirts with the two pockets at the waist and keep their Swaty in a pocket to get to it if a razor needed a bit of attention in the midst of a shave. Whether the devotion to the Swaty was due to brand reputation or actually trying alternatives is something I can't confirm. One of them also stressed that the Swaty should have 3 lines of text. Nowadays I think we've found that whether it is a two line or a three line one is as good as the other.

In my experience there are other barber hones that equal the Swaty for touching up. You mention the Carborundum being made with silicone carbide. AFAIK the Swaty was made with aluminum oxide. I have one that came NIB with the instruction sheet and they called it "The Alumina". I know from a friend who has experimented extensively with barber hones that many of them were made with different abrasives. Many of the various named barber hones deliver the goods if that is what you want but the Swaty seems to have been the go to hone for the pro barbers back in the days when shaving customers was a daily occupation. At least it was for those that I knew back then. I have a few but TBH if I ever use a barber hone for a touch up I tend to use the "It's a Peech." (their spelling)

I use my Swaty much the same way, (except for the shirt with the pockets...LOL...
They are great little stones. Invaluable....

Just a couple of swipes before I shave, and I rarely need to hone. They really do keep your edge going strong for some time. I know Utopian does the same.