Thread: Barber hone question,

I tried to do some searching, but I can't seem to find an answer. I have an "Apart" hone that I have been trying to use, but I'm not sure its doing anything. the surface is almost waxy smooth and very consistent. for comparison I have an 800 and 8k ceramic which are both "textured" at least. and a 4k King waterstone which again, is smooth but you can feel the grit. (if any of that makes sense) I'm wondering if my barber hone should be that smooth, if it may be coated with something that I haven't noticed? Or could it be that my technique is so bad I just can't get more than a functional edge? I can get my blades to cut arm hair above the skin, to give you an idea of how sharp I can get them. I seem to have hit a wall. thanks for any help.

"Lynn to the white courtesy phone please. Lynn to the white courtesy phone please."

I did a bunch more reading, and found that barber hones are pretty durable, so I took a cleaning cloth and some glass safe Vim to the stone. Total change. I suspect that the dealer may have given it a wipe with ren-wax or something. I've noticed that water beads up differently on it now, all in one big bump instead of little bubbles (if that makes sense) And it actually looks like I'm getting a polish on my razor, and I'm for sure leaving steel behind on the hone. Hopefully this helps me turn a corner with things!

Originally Posted by GadgetGeek

I did a bunch more reading, and found that barber hones are pretty durable, so I took a cleaning cloth and some glass safe Vim to the stone. Total change. I suspect that the dealer may have given it a wipe with ren-wax or something. I've noticed that water beads up differently on it now, all in one big bump instead of little bubbles (if that makes sense) And it actually looks like I'm getting a polish on my razor, and I'm for sure leaving steel behind on the hone. Hopefully this helps me turn a corner with things!

I was going to say, get some scotch brite and do some cleaning. Looks like you figured it out on your own.

Most barber's hones are very fine. they work wonders with a good bevel which has lost it's keen edge with use. Some are great finishers as well. Using one to try and make a shaver out of an edge which is dull, or damaged is downright futile, unless you have a hundred years to swack at it! You would do good to take this to the Honing Forum if the Barber's hone does not deliver pretty quickly! JMHO

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Using one to try and make a shaver out of an edge which is dull, or damaged is downright futile, unless you have a hundred years to swack at it!

From experience, I can tell you that all it takes is a nine inning baseball game's worth of honing on a barber hone to go from bevel set to finish.

Originally Posted by Theseus

From experience, I can tell you that all it takes is a nine inning baseball game's worth of honing on a barber hone to go from bevel set to finish.

And there you have it! (IF they let you into the cheap seats with your razor and hone)

Originally Posted by sharptonn

And there you have it! (IF they let you into the cheap seats with your razor and hone)

$7 per beer at the ballpark vs. $3 per six pack of Gennesee king cans at home. Where do you think I saw the game?

Originally Posted by Theseus

$7 per beer at the ballpark vs. $3 per six pack of Gennesee king cans at home. Where do you think I saw the game?

Priceless! !!! Price=Less!

My Apart seems to give a better edge than a Swaty. Nice find.

Finishing* usually requires less than 8 laps on many barber hones. Touch up is often 2 or 3 laps.

EDIT: By "finishing*", in the above line, I mean finishing from an 8k or better hone.