Thread: Barbers hone (mainly asking those in the UK)

Originally Posted by Marshal

AJ is probably correct with his recommendation now that I think about it. From where I sit it looks like it would be well worth the cost to go ahead and get both.

To put it in perspective - by reviews it looks like the finest of these stones equates to a Black Arkansas quarried here in the US. To get one of those in the 203 x 76 mm size it would cost £101 approximately, not including shipping. To get his 203x76 mm 3 stone set purchased AND shipped here would cost £84.

That's good to know. I will probably stick with this one for now just in case and once I learn more, I can then get the other one and experiment further.

I would say if your new to straights then maybe just strop it and send it out for pro honing , see how it goes.


Personally I don't refresh blades , I like to go from the beginning to the end and then some.

Just put an order in for a Welsh purple one.
As I said im purely a synthetic man so this will be a fun change.
I have read many, many reviews over the last year or so and this thread finally made me get one. All I can say is take the grit ratings with a pinch of salt.

And Cocy, steve from the invisible edge will put a fantastic egde to your razor.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Just put an order in for a Welsh purple one.
As I said im purely a synthetic man so this will be a fun change.
I have read many, many reviews over the last year or so and this thread finally made me get one. All I can say is take the grit ratings with a pinch of salt.

And Cocy, steve from the invisible edge will put a fantastic egde to your razor.

Thanks mark

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Just put an order in for a Welsh purple one.
As I said im purely a synthetic man so this will be a fun change.
I have read many, many reviews over the last year or so and this thread finally made me get one. All I can say is take the grit ratings with a pinch of salt.

And Cocy, steve from the invisible edge will put a fantastic egde to your razor.

Pulled the trigger on the 3 hone set. Want to see what kind of edge these slates can put on a razor

Well chaps, I came home this evening and a little package was waiting for me. My hone was sent out on Sat so a tip of my hat to AJ and my postie.

It comes lapped but I gave it a quick lapping on 600 grit wet 'n' dry anyway. I choose my Gotta 120 for the test drive, this is a incredibly easy razor to hone and takes a wicked edge.

My honing progression is thus: Chosera 1k, Superstone 5k, Speciality 10k, Gokumyo 20k. As I've never used a natural Ive decided to work backwards so my first go was a splash and go refresh after the 10k. 20 weight of the blade laps, 40 linen/60 shell and I was good to go.
Now for its first outing I will say as a hone for refreshing I was pleasantly surprised, it gave a nice shave that was crisp and close, no irritation, very happy. I cant say that it has improved the 10k but it hasnt deteriorated. So after this first go I could recommend as a cheap and simple refresher.
Over this week I'm going to try honing after the 5k then the 1k. I will be using the same razor, strop, brush and soap to avoid variables. As this is my first time with a natural it will be a fun challenge.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Well chaps, I came home this evening and a little package was waiting for me. My hone was sent out on Sat so a tip of my hat to AJ and my postie.

It comes lapped but I gave it a quick lapping on 600 grit wet 'n' dry anyway. I choose my Gotta 120 for the test drive, this is a incredibly easy razor to hone and takes a wicked edge.

Try 2 or 3 super light laps after the 20K? It's not finer, looks 8-(10k if burnished- witchcraft but I have an eye for this sort of thing and I'm good at being right) it also looks somewhat soft. but it might improve the edge as natural particles cut differently than man made ceramics.

at only 9 pounds you cant go wrong. Buying one myself. I don't have enough stones

You can add a drop of glycerin to the water and see how it changes things too.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Well chaps, I came home this evening and a little package was waiting for me. My hone was sent out on Sat so a tip of my hat to AJ and my postie.

It comes lapped but I gave it a quick lapping on 600 grit wet 'n' dry anyway. I choose my Gotta 120 for the test drive, this is a incredibly easy razor to hone and takes a wicked edge.

Mine should be here at the end of the month. Apparently the Atlantic is still one heck of a barrier lol. I'm curious to see how they perform though, keep us updated!

Marshal, I got a hone shipped from China to my front door in East Central Illinois in 3 1/2 days. I was expecting 3 or 4 weeks.

Slawman