Thread: Has anyone heard of 'The Moraine Hone'?

A while back I purchased a small lot from the bay that contained a couple of DE's along with a small hone. Hone is labelled The Moraine Hone - Made in the US, top of the box says "unique in structure, adapted for use dry or with water, lather or oil. Produces quickly very fine shaving edge".

Has anyone heard of this hone or take a guess at the grit fineness? Only thing I know about it is that I just about worked my arms off trying to flatten it using 320 grit sandpaper.

thanks,

I haven't seen that brand myself but I have flattened a Swaty and an American Hone Co "Three Line Hone" and both took a long time and a lot of elbow grease with a 325 D8C.

This looks like just another of the many Swaty clones that arose after the success of the original Swaty. Lots of companys capitalized on this by making hones that looked virtually identical. Some perform nearly as well while some really don't. You really can't tell how one of the clones will work until you try it.

I've got one, from my grandfather many years ago. Box looks about the same as yours except it is brown/rust colored. The stone itself seems to be a clay of some sort, and it also seems to need a little bit of flattening. It came with a set of instructions.

"How To Hone a Razor
Hone your razor exactly opposite from stropping; that is draw against the edge instead of away from the edge.
Lay the razor flat on the one (do not raise the back of blade). Draw the blade from right to left against the edge as shown in the figure on the right.
Turn the razor on back, and draw from left to right (against the edge) as shown in the figure on left.
Hone lightly. Very little pressure is needed. The edge of the razor is extremely thin and sensitive and heavy pressure will take off instead of putting on the edge. Remember you are not grinding an axe, hone lightly and easily.
Number of strokes necessary to put a keen cutting edge depends on the condition of your razor. Ordinarily six to ten strokes is sufficient. Great care should be taken not to overhone a razor, as it produces a fine wiry edge which will curl over when coming in contact with the beard, and the razor will not cut easily."