Thread: Which hone first?

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Let me rephrase my original question.
Does anyone know the relative grits of an Edlis and a Swaty Barber hone?
I promise I will never use them, and will only ever shave with razors from an 8K stone.

I am going to hold you to this promise! Without getting quasi technical I am going to say the following. Not only is it science but also personal preference, everybodies beard and technique are different. Obviously from your posts you are getting a good edge from the 8k and are looking to do even better, enter the two new stones. The barber hones are meant for touchups and are a PITA to do any serious honing, , personally I think it would take too much work to get the superior edge you are looking for but the barber hones will work to some degree. I would suggest a stone in the 12k range would give you what you are looking for.

The only way to know which of your barber hones gives the finer edge is for you to experiment and then you tell us. Many are familiar with the swaty, the other I have never heard of and am not able to make a comment. I hope this eases some of the frustration. Good luck and have fun!