The "Official" Old-Fashion, barber-hone thread.....

[Markopolo]

Well, maybe I'm just a little lazy, and don't want to search this entire (massive) web-site to find what I'm looking for......so I thought the easy way would be to just start ANOTHER THREAD ! ! !

Let's talk about good, old-fashion, ceramic BARBER-HONES !

If any of you have kep't up with my posts, you would know that I'm
somewhat of a "NEWBEE" ! ! !

(a little "comic-relief" there...........)

OK, I got ahold of "Red-Trader".......and a couple-hundred dollers later, I've got:

* Kimberley
* Edgemaker
* Wester Bros.
* Little Devil
* Franz Swaty
* Amalgamite
* "It's A Peach"

NOW COMES THE FUN !

You veterans out there.......START POSTING ON THESE !

Are there different grades ?
I suppose you use them with water ?
Different grits ?
Is one better than the other ?
On Lynn's video, he say's "5 easy strokes to restore an edge"......is that good info ?

Come on guys......let's load this thread up with great info. on BARBER HONES !

THANKS !........ Marko.

[mparker762]

I suppose you use them with water?

Some of them are used dry, some with water, some with oil, and some with shaving lather. If you didn't get directions with them then you'll have to figure them out. Some can be used many ways, and some are particular. I think the Swaty is a dry hone, but the Dubl Duck works well with water or lather.

Don't forget that the coticule and escher are also barber hones, though they're not ceramic. And I've got one barber hone that feels like it's some sort of plastic.

Different grits ?

There's a wide range of grits on barber hones, though you can adjust the effective grit somewhat by the way you polish them. Also for the stones that can be used with different lubricants this can also adjust the effective grit. I've got some that feel like they're in the mid hundreds grit-wise, and some that seem to be 15k+.

Is one better than the other ?

Sure. Which one is better *for you* is something you'll have to figure out for yourself, as this is a pretty personal preference, not just for barber hones but for all hones actually.

On Lynn's video, he say's "5 easy strokes to restore an edge"......is that good info?

Yes. I've been fortunate to get directions with a lot of my barber hones and 5 seems to be about the average. Mind you this isn't gonna work for J. Random Razor you snag off of ebay, but for a razor that you've been shaving with regularly 5 laps, +/- 3 should be enough to do the trick. Some hones may need more, some less, and this also depends on how far you let it go before you decide it needs a refresh. Once you find a favorite hone, stick with it and you'll eventually learn exactly how far you can let your razor go to refresh with X laps on the hone. This is also necessary to really master any hone - you must spend a lot of time to really learn it well in order to get the most value out of it. The various barber hones have significant differences, but remember these were all used by barbers who had to shave paying customers, so they are capable of delivering results if only you can master their use.

[honedright]

What more can I say? I think mparker kinda said it all.

I'll just say this: Of the barber hones you listed above, my current favorite is the "Little Devil." I've used it dry, with just water, and with lather. It is not meant to be used with oil. I think just water is my prefered way to use this hone.
It's a very fast hone. For just a touch up, only two to four strokes. Even for a dull razor, no more than say 20 - 30 strokes (maybe more, but well under 100 ). I think it is a great, and under-rated, little hone.
Also, I don't use any type of polishing, or finishing, stone after the little devil. The only polishing is what I get off of the strop.

Ooops, I guess I did have a little more to say after all .


Scott

[freebird]

What about a True-Edge? Does anyone have any info on these? I've had this one in my stash and just dug it out this morning when I was going through some safety razors I'm cleaning up to sell.

I'm planning on keeping the hone as I'm sure I will need it when I get brave enough to hone my own.

[Markopolo]

THANKS GUYS !......I appreciate it !

KEEP IT COMING ! ! !

Marko.....

[mparker762]

Also, I don't use any type of polishing, or finishing, stone after the little devil. The only polishing is what I get off of the strop.

I think the linen strop is much more important when using barber hones than when using the exotic hones or pasted strops - the linen becomes your "finishing hone", and used properly it performs quite well.

[AFDavis11]

One thing I've noticed is that all hones are good. Its your technique that is fitted for the hone or not. Hone speed for example is reflected in your stroke, etc. I also find that even subtle differences in grip while honing can influence your success.

I'd suggest when using a barber hone that you follow the directions specifically in the barbers manual on how to hone. I've always wondered why barber's texts described such an odd grip for honing. I've since figured it out. So if you have the grip down for a Norton don't use it for a barber hone. I've always just thought the grip would be the same for every hone, shows how much I know.

6-10 strokes are common for a barber hone so Lynn's advice, as usual, is right on the money. Some hones come with instructions to use "airy" strokes (I read that as light).

Again, I recommend the directions in the barbers manual when using a barber's hone . . . go figure, I know, but . . . the finger placement is pretty quirky but works wonders with a barber hone.

[jnich67]

I picked up a bunch of barber hones soon after I started this whole thing:

The Tilly "three" pack
Little Devil (how heck do you lap this thing!)
Swaty 3 line
Wester Bros. combo hone
2 Carborundum hones

I've never been able to get them to work for me - not that I've really taken the time to work with them. I've pretty much just stuck with with my "big" hones and pastes. I'd like to get back to the barber hones at some point though. I "want" them to work - if you know what I mean.

Jordan

[AFDavis11]

Jordan,

See my post above, before everyone convinces you that I'm a loon.

[jnich67]

Jordan,

See my post above, before everyone convinces you that I'm a loon.

Thanks Alan. What you're saying makes sense (at least as much sense as anything else I read on honing ) I often allow myself to get distracted by new toys before I really "get" how one particular hone works. I haven't touched my barber hones in over a year now. When I get back to them, I'll certainly keep your suggestions in mind.

Jordan