Thread: Ahconite Barbers Hone

I just recently got an Ahconite barbers hone and leveled it for use. I do have a couple of questions about grit ratings for this two sided hone. Is the fine side fine enough for touch ups compared to using a Naniwa 12000 or should I just go to the Naniwa? Is the fine side the much talked about frictionite or a lesser compound? Thanks.

Bob

Most barber hones are in the 8K level range, it is hard to find one that is more than that. Swaty is between 8-10K level, imo, Lakeside is higher than that, over 12K.

Frictionite and the Norton barber hone are the finest.

The norton barber hone sold for $1,000.00 on ebay a few weeks ago.

Well, if that is the case then there is no sense using the Ahconite hone, just as easy to break out the Naniwa 12000. Thanks.

Bob

Some of my not so know about ones are perty darn fine.

That seems to be a problem with barbers hones in general. Nobody seems to know what the actual grit is, it is all pretty much an educated guess sort of thing. I think my main use under that circumstance would be to use it when traveling just for convenience.

Bob

If you test them in a synthetic progression you can tell where they stand.

They worked in the old days...and im sure pro barbers didnt complain that the edges were bad.

Originally Posted by Disburden

If you test them in a synthetic progression you can tell where they stand.

They worked in the old days...and im sure pro barbers didnt complain that the edges were bad.

For sure and not arguing that at all. I have regular hones at home and it is just as easy or easier to use one of those as a barbers hone at home. I would not be gaining anything by using a barbers hone at home. Where it might fit in for me is as a travel item. Was just trying to find an actual use for it and to make sure I would not be loosing anything by doing so. Seems I won't loose anything and I now have a place for it to be used.

I have shaved off a Naniwa 8000 so if as you say the barbers hones are in the 8000 range and some better we are good to go.

Bob

Was going though my stuff. I have one in my dresser lol.
When i don't remmeber if i have such a item i might start having too many items.
But that's will happen when i buy anything that i personally want.
The one rule to my buying is i have to buy at a really good price any thing that's not a
really good price i must pass. no matter of how much i really want.

Originally Posted by BobH

That seems to be a problem with barbers hones in general. Nobody seems to know what the actual grit is, it is all pretty much an educated guess sort of thing. I think my main use under that circumstance would be to use it when traveling just for convenience.

Bob

It really doesnt matter what the grit is, what matters is its the barber hone able to refresh the edge when it starts to go bad, whether its 9k 11k
8.5k is irrelevant, so many people are stuck on grit!

Martin103

I am not stuck on what the grit is per se just want to make sure it was around 8K or better. I know nothing about barbers hones and in particular the one I picked up and where it would fit in. You are right not knowing the exact grit is not a huge problem but all the same it would be nice to know in a more exact fashion as has come to be accepted with more modern hones. It would have been a lot easier and with no need to post a thread asking.

Bob