Thread: On the topic of barbers hones...

As I am doing even more research on honing, I start thinking about different things. Right now I am contemplating getting a barbers hone. My question is, what can it be used for. What I am looking for is something that I can use to touch up a blade when I start to feel like it is dulling, as well as something I can use to finish the edge when I get further into straight shaving and get a better grasp on honing. Can a barbers hone do all of this? If not is there a stone that can? Do you all have other suggestions? I would prefer something with a little bit lager surface area than the Chinese 12K stones that are $24 on eBay, as my skill does not allow for narrower stones, yet. However, if that is the best option, I will practice and adapt. Thank you all for your thoughts and input.

Just out of curiosity, do you really think 8x2x1 to be a small stone? The small Chinese 12k stones are 2 inches wide and an inch thick. Hardly what I would call narrow. I actually started on a soft Arkansas that was 6x1.5x.5, and that was pretty comfortable.

That said, I believe the C12k to be the best bang for the buck on the market right now. It's slow, but consistent. Just about everyone that's had anything to say about them has said positive things. They put a nice, shiny polish on the bevel. And they can do all this fairly cheaply. By the way, look at Woodworking Plans & Tools | Fine Woodworking Project & Supplies at Woodcraft for your C12k rather than ebay.

Originally Posted by straightshot

As I am doing even more research on honing, I start thinking about different things. Right now I am contemplating getting a barbers hone. My question is, what can it be used for. What I am looking for is something that I can use to touch up a blade when I start to feel like it is dulling, as well as something I can use to finish the edge when I get further into straight shaving and get a better grasp on honing. Can a barbers hone do all of this? If not is there a stone that can? Do you all have other suggestions? I would prefer something with a little bit lager surface area than the Chinese 12K stones that are $24 on eBay, as my skill does not allow for narrower stones, yet. However, if that is the best option, I will practice and adapt. Thank you all for your thoughts and input.

I tried my grandfathers barber hone just last week,after having it in my drawer for the last 2 years. I had a razor that was tugging,and was too lasy to put it through the hones,and whipped out the barber hone,slapped some shaving lather on it,did JUST 5-7 strokes. No more than 7 strokes,cuz they are very fast cutters. Did 40 linen 100 leather and was i impressed,back in the ballgame!!!! So now when i get a tugging razor, it gets the barber hone.

Just out of curiosity, do you really think 8x2x1 to be a small stone

I do not think that is very small, I am just used to the lager bench stones that I have. being new, I am just a little nervous about tilting the blade and catching the edge on the corner and having to start over. I am more comfortable with a wider stone right now. BTW, the stone that I saw on eBay were 150 mm long which is about 6" if I am not mistaken. Not that that really matters as I am more concerned with the width. Thank you for the suggestions, if there are anymore, please keep them coming!

The hones from the Polish seller on ebay are roughly 6 X 2. The woodcraft hones are 8 X 2 and 8 x 2 3/4. The ebay hones come lapped and with a slurry stone delivered for under $24.00.

Anyway, will they do the job of touching up and finishing ( the C12K stones)?

Short reply, yes. They are good finishers, but slow.

Hi- noobie question, sorry. I try to look these kinds of questions up through a search so as to not waste anybody's time but couldn't find an answer. I just recently picked up a Clauss Barbers Hone for the purpose of light touch ups on my razors. I was trying to find some information on the proper technique on how to accomplish this. I've seen different things about using oil, water and lather for lubricant on the hone. Is this specific to the hone or doesn't it matter? Do you use a stropping stroke(spine leading) or a honing stroke (edge leading)? Either way I assume you use light pressure, x motion, and spine flat to the hone like stropping? Recommended number of strokes?

Thanks for any and all guidance.

Bob