Thread: Where do I get a Barber Hone

I am interested in getting one of these Barber Hones. Where do you get them. Are they called Barber Hones?
:?:
jmsbcknr

Yup, that's what they are called, 'cause that's who used 'em! But YOu ned to to first think about exactly what you will use it for: setting-up or establishing an edge on the blade; refining a pre-established edge (sharpening), or polishing the edge to 'shave-ready' sharpness?

There are different grit hones to do each!

You can do a search on eBay for them, and find a lot ..... a woman who was a member here sells them (good ones). Tilly trades under the eBay name, "Redtrader99". She also sells them through her website,
http://www.redtrader99.com

I think that if you just want a hone to sharpen your decent razors, then you could get either the Norton 4000/8000 combination waterstone sold at Ray's site, http://www.Classicshaving.com , OR at http://www.thebestthings.com, OR you could try (a bit more expensive, but very different in cutting action) the Blue and Yellow Coticle Belgian stones from another member here, Howard Schecter. His website is: http://www.theperfectedge.com

"Barber Hones" are small, usually hand-held, and many come as 'Combination' stones, with a different grit size on each side. They are fun to try, and to work with, and harken back to the purist roots of straight shaving.

But decide WHY you want one before buying one - then do a little research, or ask away here! Good luck!

Thanks. I am looking for a polishing stone. Already have a norton 4X8K

jmsbcknr

Just be aware that most of the barber hones ARE NOT finer than 8000 grit, and are not a finer polishing hone than either the Norton 4k/8k or the Belgian Coticule.

Looks like that leaves the Chinese stone from Woodcraft. They say 13,000 grit but I think that was questioned/disputed here a while back.

Tony

Dave Francis, whom I correspond with frequently, would recommend the Honemaster classic barber hone over his Shampton 15000. It only costs 20.00 USD and for the moment is still available through Tilly. It is my favorite finishing hone. Here's what he said:

"Tilly's Great Hone Bonanza". I've talked them up until I'm blue in the face, so on the one hand I'm glad she's been so successful, on the other hand I dearly lament that folks who start SR shaving in the next few years will never know what it's like to just email Tilly and pick up a hone like the Hone Master - the only hone they'd ever need if they're starting out with new razors. Instead, they'll have to spend $130.00 on a Shapton 15000 to even come close to that level of hone, or get really handy with paste and a Norton 8000. It's a crying shame is what it is. I wish it would never end...." [end quote, David Francis]

Ok Hal, you are getting me intriqued by this Hone Master stuff. I have never used one, but I am still pretty sceptical about any "magic hone" for razors. I have had magical experiences with some of my razors on a given sharpening stone, only to be disappointed when I tried a different razor made from different steel on the same hone with the same technique. There seem to be so many variables, it gets hard to pin down what actually created the super edge....at least for me it does. Sometimes it is the hone/steel/technique combination. Other times it seems to be the linen stropping that finishes off the razor. Other times a pasted strop is the answer. Just goes to show you...80 sharpening stones are simply not enough to try all the available options. lol No wonder my wife is starting to roll her eyes at me.

Hi Bob,

I completely agree with you. There are so many variables. I only posted Dave's remarks for general interest, not having a Shampton myself, in order to provide information about those classic hones which are finer grit than either the Norton 8000 or the Coticule Belgian, both of which I do have. They are all fine tools, all requiring different techniques to master. The 'magic' comes from the skill of the user who, like yourself, understands all the variables involved and has the talent to combine them for a good result.

As you say, there is no honing elixir. I offered the post as information about one very fine barber hone, the Hone Master, still availble NOS. You don't have to pay a lot of money for a good finishing hone; it's not an expensive experiment should you care to try either. Dave is a shaver/collector of hones and has a very large and extensive collection. He appreciates how scarce these good o'l barber hones will eventually become in the future--the know-how about making them has been lost forever.

Hal

Originally Posted by string

There seem to be so many variables, it gets hard to pin down what actually created the super edge....at least for me it does. Sometimes it is the hone/steel/technique combination. Other times it seems to be the linen stropping that finishes off the razor. Other times a pasted strop is the answer. Just goes to show you...80 sharpening stones are simply not enough to try all the available options. lol ....

Well said Bob! That's exactly why straight razor shaving and honing can be so much fun. It would become a rather dull affair (excuse the pun), if honing could be reduced to a mechanical routine procedure. No experience with any amount of hones, stones or experience can exhaust the variables and options, which is why Lynn still finds so much pleasure in honing. There's no magic number, magic material or magical method. Because of this, it can very overwhelming and frustrating for someone just starting out. However, with patience and time, once you begin to get the knack of honing, you begin to discover a seemingly endless combination of variables, such that the whole process becomes really intriguing and enjoyable.