Barbers hone (mainly asking those in the UK)

Hi all,

I am just starting up with straight razors and have a basic starter kit including a couple of hanging strops.

I am obviously keen to ensure I maintain my blade correctly.

From the alternatives (as I see it but happy to be put right) of a barbers hone or pasted paddle strop, a barbers hone seems to me to be a better option. Can anyone in the uk recommend where to get one or a decent option online. I have seen things like this Natural hand made fine Barber razor hone & slury stone sharpening top up water | eBay on eBay which seems to have good reviews. Would this be ok for a few strokes to refresh with? Sorry if that's an incredibly dim question!

Hi mate.

I haven't said hello, so welcome to SRP!

I use synthetics all the way so I cant help but I will say that AJs (ebay seller) natural hones have had a good few threads about them. Try typing welsh slate hone or welsh dragon tounge hone into the search and loads of info will come up.

Mark

I've read good things about Welsh Slate of late. I wouldn't mind getting one to play with one of these days. This is a little different from what I recognize as a barber's hone though. If it's a quality piece of slate it will get the job done, but it more than likely won't be a matter of a few strokes and good to go. Natural hones create a very nice, comfortable edge, but they tend to do it slower than synthetics. You'll notice a lot of people around here use synthetic hones for the lower range to sharpen quickly, and more often than not finish on a natural hone for a more comfortable edge.

This is what I tend to think of when I see the phrase barber hone:

BARBER FRANZ SWATY Wahring Bei Wien Austria Straight Razor Hone Sharpening Stone | eBay

Synthetic, and cuts fast. As in 10 strokes - or less - to bring your edge back to shave ready if you catch it right when it's starting to dull. I don't know if this holds true on your side of the Atlantic, but I don't think anyone makes them new over here, so we have to hunt down vintage ones like the one I linked that are still in good condition.

How much are you thinking of spending? A decent high grit synthetic would probably be best and will also be useful if you want to hone more later. Otherwise auction site for barbers hones and type the names into search on here to read up on them.

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Originally Posted by dmnc

How much are you thinking of spending? A decent high grit synthetic would probably be best and will also be useful if you want to hone more later. Otherwise auction site for barbers hones and type the names into search on here to read up on them.

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Based on some research here I am going to order one of the welsh slates and go from there keeping my eye out for a swaty or similar hone.

Whilst I don't want to spend a lot of money straight up, I want decent things and am willing to pay for them more long term.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Thanks, that would be much appreciated

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Thanks mark

Quote:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. :gl:

Quote:

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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.

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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

I got a message from DHL today, said they have a package for me. Only one thing it could be, cause I've nothing else on order. MUCH faster than anticipated!