Thread: Barber hone

Hey all,

So I've tried out some natural stones for putting the final polish on my razors (a couple of coticules and a couple of thuringians), but I want to try an old barber hone.

I want a really fine one, as I want to use it only as a touch-up hone. What kind would you recommend?

I put an ad stating much the same in the classifieds section. If anyone has any info on a nice barber hone, one they would like to sell me, or anything, let me know!

Thank you.

Swaty is a reputable brand. Don't own one, but I've absorbed the usual forum info.......... Maybe someone who has used one will chime in soon.

I got one a few days ago. Haven't had a chance to really use it but with some lather on it it sucks the blade like crazy.

I know this is probably silly, but, have you looked on Ebay? I got lucky and picked one up. It's quite small, fits in your hand, which is the point I believe. It's pink in color, maybe pinkish brown, and say's "Albright Special" on the side. It's very very smooth, I'd say it has to be over 10k. It does put a really nice finish on my blades. I keep it out on my counter now for a quick touch up. If you can't find one, and want to do the same, get a small bout stone. They work equally well.
Rich

Originally Posted by zib

I know this is probably silly, but, have you looked on Ebay? I got lucky and picked one up. It's quite small, fits in your hand, which is the point I believe. It's pink in color, maybe pinkish brown, and say's "Albright Special" on the side. It's very very smooth, I'd say it has to be over 10k. It does put a really nice finish on my blades. I keep it out on my counter now for a quick touch up. If you can't find one, and want to do the same, get a small bout stone. They work equally well.
Rich

I've been looking on ebay a lot the past few days. Got my eye on a couple actually. I already have very nice polishing/touch-up stones, just not a barber hone. So it's really not out of necessity at all, just out of greed I've been on a hone-hiutus for a while, last one I bought set me back quite a bit!

I picked up a 3 line Swaty on eBay and it's been a welcome addition to my honing arsenal.

It's great for a quick touchup. The way I use mine is to squirt a small amount of hand soap on it, apply some water, and rub it with my hand while adding small amounts of water until I have a thin soapy solution.

I normally do 5 passes and test...after the initial 5 I do 3 and test until it's as sharp as I desire. Depending on how dull it is it normally takes from 5-15 laps to get it back to shave ready.

The only bad thing I can say about the Swaty is if you get too carried away with trying to achieve the ultimate in sharpness the shave can be rather harsh so I normally finish with a few laps on a chrome pasted strop after hitting the Swaty.

Are barber hones, in general, finer than a chinese 12k? Say, a swaty for example.

Originally Posted by pjrage

Are barber hones, in general, finer than a chinese 12k? Say, a swaty for example.

Yes I believe so.

Soooo, How big are these "Swatty's normally. As I mentioned, My barber hone is about the size of a pack of smokes...

And I do believe they are finer/smoother than a 12k. The one I have is definitely smoother than my 12k. As I said, it's great to keep out for a quick touch up. I just put it under the faucet for a few seconds, get it wet, and go at it....I get a very smooth shave with very few strokes....

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Yes I believe so.

So, in the normal honing process of an ebay razor, or any razor for that matter, you would hit the chinese 12k, hit the barber hone, then go to the 0.5 chromium oxide paste? Or is the barber hone in lieu of the pasted strop?