Thread: Do I need to prep my Swaty?

I'm new to honing and just picked up a Swaty 2 line on eBay along with another no-name hone.

I noticed the Swaty has a very glassy look to it. Is this normal, or do I need to prep the surface? If so, how? Bill and Lynn's cds are en route, but I'm antsy! Please see attached pics (sorry for the bad qual)






Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I would just scrub it with some scouring powder and water, it should clean right up. The original instructions suggested using some emery cloth to restore the surface if it glazed over... no DMT diamond plates back then.

You might want to flatten it on a diamond hone some day but mine worked fine as it came to start. I have the exact same 2 line swaty you have. The 3 line is the most sought after but I've had excellent success with the 2 line so I don't worry about it. Someone here offers barber hone flattening for a very reasonable charge... it's hard work and if I were to do it again, I'd send mine away.

Regards

Christian

Thanks for the info. I actually just bought a 3-line on eBay for $22 shipped, so I'll get to compare the two.

I have a 2 line Swaty too and it's great. Glassy look is normal on mine, even after I lapped it.

As stated, these can be a bear to lap. JoshEarl does it for a reasonable fee. If you have trouble touching up a razor with your Swaty, it might need to be lapped. Mine did.

I sometimes use it dry for just 3 to 5 laps of touch-up, wet if I'm going to use more laps.

Nice hone, congrats.

Steven,

If you want to try lapping it yourself, use coarse wet/dry sandpaper--220 grit or coarser. If your arms get tired, I only charge $10 plus shipping. The service was kind of an excuse for me to get a really coarse hone.

Josh