Thread: Where does this hone belong in progression?

I told delivery yesterday of this fine example of a Lakeside Razor Hone. Pretty excited about it as I have read it is very fine and makes a good finisher.

I have shapton pro stones up to 12k where should I use this stone after 8k or 12k? If after 8k then this would be my finisher, right?

It's more of an "instead of," rather than an "in addition to" part of your progression. That is, a barber hone for maintenance of your razors. Depending on its condition, it MIGHT impart as good of an edge as your 12k, but also might not.

You might as well test it. Hone to 8k and shave. Then touch up on the Lakeside and compare. Then do the same between the 12k and the Lakeside.

Barber hones aren't progression stones, they are meant to wake up the edge on a shave ready razor that has begun to tug a bit using a low number of laps on lather followed by ample stropping and nothing else. Where to use this is take one of your razors you have been using for awhile, give it 9-15 laps on it, stop, strop it generously and see how it treats you.

Originally Posted by kcb5150

give it 9-15 laps on it, stop, strop it generously and see how it treats you.

I never have seen a barber hone instruction sheet recommend more than 6 strokes. Many leave it vague at a "few strokes," but many others specify a range from 3 to 6 strokes. In the case of this Lakeside hone, it declares both a few strokes and 3 to 4 strokes.

Barber hones can produce a good edge, but they are aggressive. For that reason only a few strokes should be done between edge assessments to avoid damaging the edge.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I never have seen a barber hone instruction sheet recommend more than 6 strokes. Many leave it vague at a "few strokes," but many others specify a range from 3 to 6 strokes. In the case of this Lakeside hone, it declares both a few strokes and 3 to 4 strokes.

Barber hones can produce a good edge, but they are aggressive. For that reason only a few strokes should be done between edge assessments to avoid damaging the edge.

I did a lot of research on this hone before I bought it. Member "Modine" on razor and stone did an extensive test of barber hones. Many that he tested were very aggressive and would tear up an edge if not careful.

His notes on this particular hone was that it was an exception and improved the 8k synthetic edge easily and did not degrade the 15k edge. He surmised that it would "easily" refresh the edge to 12k.

In my own experimentation so far I can confirm that under my 60x loupe and my 120x handheld microscope that it in fact does improve both the shapton pro 8k AND the 12k edge.

Shave test is very pleasant and smooth.

I used it to finish a hollow ground American razor on glycerin and water mix 5 passes. Since the hone is pristine I don't want to put lather on it (perhaps this is silly) but I have a pike swaty that is glazed over from years of old lather.

I am by no means an expert nor do I claim to know anything because I am so new to honing.

I appreciate all of the expertise and advice from those of you who have been doing this for a long time. I hope to one day know enough to contribute cogently to the conversation

Originally Posted by Sdm84

Since the hone is pristine I don't want to put lather on it (perhaps this is silly) but I have a pike swaty that is glazed over from years of old lather.

In my opinion, yes, it is silly.

These hones will not glaze from lather, nor will it harm your hone. If you think that a barber hone is impregnated with lather, you can remove it by running water over it. If your Swaty is glazed over, then odds are better that it is due to use rather than lather. You can refresh your Swaty's surface by lightly and briefly rubbing it while wet with w/d sandpaper using any grit from 300 to 1000.

And, by the way, that is one of the few barber hones that I am STILL trying to acquire! I've never been able to find one. For that reason, you have been added to my extensive enemies list.

Originally Posted by Utopian

And, by the way, that is one of the few barber hones that I am STILL trying to acquire! I've never been able to find one. For that reason, you have been added to my extensive enemies list.

Which hone the Pike swaty or the lakeside? Because if it is the Pike you're really gonna hate me because it was $4 at a flea market... lol!

Another stupid question- what lather do you use? I don't want to whip up a batch just to hone and it's not always practical to hone at the sink while shaving- barbasol in the can?

Originally Posted by Sdm84

Which hone the Pike swaty or the lakeside? Because if it is the Pike you're really gonna hate me because it was $4 at a flea market... lol!

Trust me, I have plenty of Swaty's!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Trust me, I have plenty of Swaty's!

Ahhhh...yes again showing my arse...sorry.

I was lucky to get the lakeside I probably paid too dear a price but it was there and had the wooden box and the freakin' cardboard surround! I just couldn't pass it up- the HAD was too strong!

I feel like a kid in a room full of adults lol!