Thread: Early Christmas, ummm...what did I get?

so today i went to get a haircut, am sitting there talking to the lady and she tells me her late father-in-law had been a barber and that her husband had thrown out a bunch of his razors figuring nobody wanted that stuff. I was horrified, if I were older and had a weak heart it might have done me damage. but she proceeds to say that there's still one old box. goes out to garage and....

said take whatever I want, they'd just throw it away otherwise and had just not gotten to it yet. I got some razors (razors forum later tonight) and 4 hones. I don't know what they are though. thought you guys could help me out.

1st one. No. 00 Frictionite Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Greenish brown on one side, dark greyish brown on the other. looks to me like both sides are hones and different grits. all edges look chamfered slightly. dimensions 4 5/16 x 2 1/16 x 9/16

second hone is one in a little plastic lunch baggy, reads Franz Swaty, Wahring bei Wien, (Austria)
brownish color 2 x 5 1/16 x 1/2



third hone is another swaty, this one in the box great condition. brownish color again, 2 x 5 1/4 x 7/16. this one in english on the stone says The Swaty, Three Line, Diamond Hone

fourth stone is in half a box, some print still legible, no marking son the razor. greenish color, doesn't feel as fine grained as the others. 2 x 5 7/8 x 9/16.

writing on box says (will *** where blank)

Directions for Use
Use a thin clear oil. if stone cuts too rapidly temper ****
**** the stone in a pan of hot vaseline, filling up the pores ***
************ for cleansing stone, wash with kerosene
The Carborundum Company, Niagara Falls, N.Y., **

You have no idea how well you have done!

After this, Santa shouldnt even stop by your house! Youve done so good!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

You have no idea how well you have done!

After this, Santa shouldnt even stop by your house! Youve done so good!

+1

I have an identical No. 00 Frictionite (mine came in a green fabric case), a 3-line Swaty, and a smaller pocket sized version of the Carborundum Co. hone. I've just used water or lather on all 3. They all are among my very favorite barber hones. An outstanding score and all found in one place .

now what do I use which one for? I know nothing about honing, haven't done any. I'm guessing there all only good for maintaining an edge, not bringing a far gone razor back? I have some razors that seem almost sharp enough to shave with, is this for them?

Red

1st one is a Natural Belgian combo. How big is it?

Sorry, but the first one is neither a Belgian nor a natural. The Frictionite hones are American, synthetic, and AWESOME!

In answer to the question of what did you get, you got four of the best barber hones ever made! The Frictionite obviously is two side. It likely has a sticker on the side that says use this side first/use this side to finish. If not, you use the brown side first, then the lighter side. The Swatys are great. There's lots of info in the forum about them. The Swatys and Frictionite, any one of them alone, are capable of maintaining your razors for the rest of your life. Does the Carborundum have any kind of identifying number stamped on the side of the hone or inside of the box? The Carbos varied in grit and not all are ideal as a final polisher.

You got a great set of hones there. Good on you for rescuing them!

I bet it is a belgian natural cobo

Originally Posted by Big Red

now what do I use which one for? I know nothing about honing, haven't done any. I'm guessing there all only good for maintaining an edge, not bringing a far gone razor back? I have some razors that seem almost sharp enough to shave with, is this for them?

Red

Read up on honing in the FAQ. You will learn a lot there. The most critical aspect is having the bevel set fully. You're right that your hones are pretty much only practical for maintenance.

You CAN set a bevel with a Swaty. I've done it. I don't recommend it. I strongly do not recommend it. I have a few Frictionites and I have played with the coarse sides to see the degree of metal removal. It's more coarse than the Swaty (barely), but still not practical for much metal removal for any signicant amount of restoration.

I just noticed the Carborundum is an oil stone. Some of them say they can be used dry, some with water, some with oil or water, and yours says with just oil. Personally, I don't like to bother with oil stones but if the grit is more coarse, maybe you can make use of it.