Thread: Dry hone ?

So I bought this DD dry hone. It looks brand new and so does the box. I got it to compliment my collection for the most part but I am wondering if it is a barbers hone and if you really use it dry. If it looks untouched I will probably leave it that way. I just never heard of dry hones of any sort. Anybody ?

Hi, where are the photos???

Iv'e used a couple barber hones dry and use a shapton 16k dry for my routiene maintenence ie, 3-4 x strokes/week with no issues and comfortable shaves. YMMV

I will take some when it gets in my hand and post them.

Originally Posted by Sunbird

Hi, where are the photos???

I have a pike strop hone that can be used dry. I actually think most of the barber hones where meant to be used dry or with lather so the barber never had to leave his work space..

Originally Posted by 10Pups

So I bought this DD dry hone. It looks brand new and so does the box. I got it to compliment my collection for the most part but I am wondering if it is a barbers hone and if you really use it dry. If it looks untouched I will probably leave it that way. I just never heard of dry hones of any sort. Anybody ?

A lot of barber hones specify that dry or with lather is OK. I sold a big #00 frictionite last month, that had its literature with it, but I can't remember if it said water was OK. It was definitely intended to be used dry, and the rub stone that came with it was made to clean off the dry hone.

I believe those DD hones are made by Am hone co, the same company who makes the frictionites and the super punjabs and other hones that were made to be used dry. If you don't want to use it dry, use it with clear water. I've used a frictionite with some clear water, and it has a dreamy feel to it on water. If Am hone company didn't intend for you to use lather, then I wouldn't use it on the hone.

I am hoping the instructions are on the box. Like I say I probably won't touch it if it really is new. I could get another a lot cheaper if I want to use one. I have read manuals and best practice instructions for barbers circa 1860~1920's and they all mention using lather, water or even oil in a quiet place where they can concentrate on the job at hand. I have also discovered it may be double sided. 1 course, fine for finishing. Should have it in hand by the end of this week. Will post what I find with it.

Well, here's some instructions from a very large frictionite I had. I'm sort of surprised, I guess. I thought there was something that said no lather, but this verbiage pretty much tells the story straight up.



Doesn't by any means guarantee the dubl duck hone is the same, of course. I would never let oil get around this stone, though.

It's 4 1/2" x 2" x 1/2" thick.
I rubbed my fingers on it and the greyish side is smoother than 4000 on my 4/8k Norton. The reddish side is smoother than the 8000. In my spert opinion (not being an ex-spert) I would say grey is maybe around 6k grit or possibly 7k. And the other I would guess at 10 or more. The red side feels reeal smooth.


With the grey side up the label reads {USE THIS SIDE FIRST}




With the red side up it reads { Finish honing on this side}




It looks to me like it was molded. One piece made and the other poured over it. I wonder what it is made out of ?




It looks like it is brand new/never used. The box is perfect. It looks like it had a sticker on it at the top and I took off the white paper that was left behind. I think I will try to take the remaining glue off with water and a rag next. As much as I want to try it out and see what it does, I think I will leave it pristine and use it for display.

side note**
I got the brush on another bid and it says " Double Duck M3 For Professional use only" on the bottom.

A great grab in beautiful condition.