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

Originally Posted by Marshal

After doing a little more research, I think that's a hell of a good buy. The Llyn Melynllyn is a good starting point, and you can expand down to the Dragon's Tongue if you need something coarser than that or up to a Welsh Grey Black. And for what they are he really doesn't seem to be asking as much as he could for the hones. I plan to pick up his large 3 stone set before he realizes that lol.

I actually messaged him on eBay with a few questions and he recommended the Dragon's Tongue as a starter stone. His explanation was as follows: "the hone I recommended is closer to 10k, which will give a good edge on quality steel, and to top up the edge, just wet the face, and give say approx 20 laps either side then strop the blade, it is very important the spine and the edge of the blade are flat on the hone at all times, this maintains the correct Honing angle, you can put a small piece of pvc tape on the spline of the razor, just to stop it wearing on the hone."

Do you think for the £10 it is worth picking up the second stone too? In your view would it be more suited for touch ups?

When i start to feel the blade dull after stropping I will try this and report back (although as a newbie my feedback may be totally useless).

Naturals can't be rated like synthetics. Will pm you bit more info tomorrow. Bed now. Have these slates in the smaller sizes.

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.

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

Originally Posted by dmnc

Naturals can't be rated like synthetics. Will pm you bit more info tomorrow. Bed now. Have these slates in the smaller sizes.

Thanks, that would be much appreciated

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.