Thread: Getting Oil off of a Barber Hone

Originally Posted by Razorburne

I'm new to most of this, but I know there was a recent post (in the last month) where a similar topic was discussed...it seemed like there was a consensus that once oil is used, you have to stick with using oil b/c it's almost impossible to get out...probably b/c it is so porous.

Hopefully you can find a way to get what you want...sorry, no ideas from me!

Yep,
I think I posted that too <g>. It is beyond the scrubbing with dishwasher stuff and it soaked well into the hone. I have a lesser hone here I'll put in a degreeser solution for a few days and see what happens.

I wanted this for quick swipes mid -shave and the oil is an issue. I've got nearly 30 hones here but wanted to think down the a few of the best and this would be one of them.

Tony

Tony,

I'd go for a degreaser. For example - the one for performance road bikes from your LBS (Local Bike Store - not Walmart). I am just blabbing here, because I have never done it - but since you cannot use it as is for your intended purpose it's either take the risk or just give up on your intended use. I'm sure you can also sell this Swaty and get another one...

Your post intrigued me though - Swaty swipes (what a nice phrase, I like the way it sounds, almost like "whippersnapper") while shaving! Wow - you mist have tough beard. Many people, including yours truly, seem to think that fresh off the hones razors are a bit harsher the first shave... Are you saying that linen and leather stropping is not enough for you mid-shave? I sometimes might strop between face sides - but just leather, have not had to do even linen...

Cheers
Ivo

Hi I would like to put my 2cents worth in you could try soaking it in lighter fluid (like in the old Zippo style lighters) it should not harm the stone and should break up the oil but remember it is highly combustible and will evaporate quite quickly as well

Ivo,
I had read that Joe Lerch used to do this and was curious. Mainly I was thinning out some of my stuff but did want to keep some of the best hones... a Swaty being a keeper.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Ivo,
I had read that Joe Lerch used to do this and was curious. Mainly I was thinning out some of my stuff but did want to keep some of the best hones... a Swaty being a keeper.

Tony

Sure, Tony - I meant get another unoiled Swaty.

I wasn't aware Joe does it in mid-shave, I only read he maintained his razors with just few swipes for over 1 yr without other honing...

Cheers
Ivo

Michael brought up steam cleaning, I have a small $50.00 steam cleaning machine, a Scuncii. It took the oil out of an old knife hone I have like nobody's business. I don't know how a swati would react to it.

Glen F

Tony,
I restore a couple of stones every week and I use Easy Off Fume Free which you can get at Wal Mart or other store. It's designed to degrease baked on oven grease and float the swarf to the surface. It's in a blue can. The traditional Easy Off is in a yellow can and really stinks the house up.

well....there ya' go!

..Cool...that sounds like the best idea yet

(...self cleaning Swatys....h-m-m-m-m...think there's a market???...)

-whatever

-Lou

Howard,
Thanks. I'll try that and maybe tackle the oven too while I'm at it !

Tony

Never thought of just boiling it for a while in water? This I epect would heat the oil in the stone enough for it to come out then rise to the surface of the water. Regular descumbing of the surface water would keep the process clean. Just a thought.

Ivo, Joe was not the man that kept a razor sharp for a year by stropping alone, it was Honedright. I was in the running but I use pasted strops so I fell at the 4 furlong hurdle

PuFF