Thread: The definitive Barber's Hone grit answer..

Ok, now that I have your attention... this is definitely NOT the definitive answer, but my observations.
I own a Norton 220/1K, and a 4k/8k.
In addition I have 2 Barber's hones, one reknown Swaty, and one Edlis Special. The Edlis appears to be a bit softer than the Swaty, as I can raise a slurry with a DMT on it, whereas the Swaty just destroyed my DMT's grit. I have read in other threads that these and other Barber's hones are no finer than a Norton 8k, while others contend they are along the lines of a 12k. So I decided to do a little experiment with a recent honed Dubl Duck. This was honed with 0ne piece of tape, bevel set on a 1K popping arm hairs, then refined on the 4k and 8k. Shaved with it and got a DFS. I use a 60x loupe to inspect my edges.
I did one side with the Swaty, and the other with the Edlis.
There were defined hone lines from the previous stones, primarily in angled direction, due to me using a toe leading stroke.
I did primarily circle strokes with the Barber's hones to make it easier to see any change in pattern.
What I observed was a significant decrease in the number of angled scratch marks, with no indication of circular scratches.
This was after approximately 1500 strokes! 100 at a time.
My conclusion is that the Barber's hones I have are a finer grit than the Norton 8k, and are significantly slower. So I will continue to used them as my finishing hones, With the Edlis first, with a slurry, then onto the Swaty.

YMMV.

P.S. Three pieces of scotch tape= 1 piece of electrical