Thread: Swaty Barbers Hones?

For what it cost me ($24.00 total), it's a cool little collectible, that may be very handy-Gearhead

Originally Posted by mdarnton

That's funny: I was thinking the same but opposite. You've got some great hones there; what do you need a Swaty for? :-)

I bought one, and found it really doesn't have a place that my others don't do better. Maybe for the one-hone solution 60 years ago it was OK, but it seemed to me like a does-nothing-well solution.

You may need less passes to get better results. The genuine three line swaty is about 12k level...the rip off ones that say"three line" on them are around 6k level.

I get excellent shaves from mine. Id be happy with only owning it as a hone, and I have tried over a hundred hones and modern synthetic systems.

Heavy stropping helps as well since the stone cuts aggressively.

Thanx Disburden! Wondering if I can use my $14.00 Nagura with any stone? Have seen it used with a Norton 4K. Great forum!-Gearhead

Originally Posted by gearhead222

FWIW, I also have the Norton 3 stone set ,a Naniwa 12K, a DMT D8C, a Nagura to creat slurry, a 30X loupe, a Chromium Oxide strop and a bridle leather strop . Thanx for any feedback-Gearhead.

With a Naniwa 12k, you dont really need a Swaty, i highly doubt that you will find one that beats this one. If you like the edge of the Naniwa you might be disapointed touching it up on a Swaty.

I use them from time to time. Like Glen said, They're meant for shave ready blades that just need a little bit. Barber's carried them in their pockets, and gave razors a few swipes before shaving a customer, just to be sure he was getting a nice, comfortable shave.

I used a Swaty only for 1 year on a single rotation of about 8 blades. I noticed no significant hone wear, and each blade remained shave ready.