I've never used an actual barbers hone.They seem from all the posts and such that I have read,to be miracle hones.I use all Naniwas and have good results.But..what are most barber hones made up of and why if they work better than honing stones(not sure) does anyone not currently make them such as the Dovo Co. or Thiers Issard ? What's the skinny on these guys ?:thinking: