Thread: Barber's hone? Advice anyone!

So I just picked up a, what I believe to be, a barber's hone off ebay. Its a Townley Strop-Back Hone #800. Pat. Aug. 05. measuring 6-1/2” by 2” Gray colored stone with leather cushioned strop on back. Thats from the description. Does anyone know the best lapping method for a hone like this, I would start with a low grit 320-400 wet-dry paper but what would a good finishing grit be? I want to basically use this as a touch up refresher stone, but what other capabilities are there with this hone? Also could I get a slurry going with this type of stone in order to get a little more cutting power for heavier jobs? It is my first hone and eventually I would like to move into acquiring a set with lower grits for restoration. What would be a good second stone to compliment this one? Any advice would be helpful thanks!

I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but I have lapped quite a few barber hones.

I start at 325, or 120 if the hone is a harder one. Sometimes I stop at 325, sometimes I finish as fine as 1,000 wet/dry. Chamfer the edges. I like to flatten the 2 long and narrower sides too, for possible use on warped razors.

Slurry isn't normally used with a barber hone (some are pretty hard). If yours is soft enough you can try it with slurry and see what happens. Water or lather is often used. The only way to know what grit you have is to try it, unless a member who owns one can help.

Like Sticky, I am not familiar with that particular brand, but it looks good, even thought about bidding for it.

When you say chamfer do you mean round all four edges over so its not perfectly 90 degrees right? This is so you don't knick the blade on the edge of the stone? Thanks for your replies guys!

Michael

Yes, just knock the sharp corners/edges back a bit. I usually hit all 12 of 'em while I'm at it. Less likely to micro-chip a razor's edge and can reduce hone damage if accidentally dropped.

I've used my DMT D8C on my Barber hones. It works good, but wet/dry sp will do the job, it'll just take longer and you'll need a flat surface. The Barber hones are really just for touch ups/finishing, not much more. They're usually small, some fit in your hand. The one you got is very nice indeed. As far as being more aggresive with it, They're not really meant for that. Get yourself a set of Nortons. They're good, and not too expensive....Rich

So you think nortons would be the best route, maybe just a 4k/8k for starters (the barbers hone would be the finisher) or could I go with Belgian Blue and the barbers hone takes the place of the yellow coticule? Basically I am looking for the most practical setup considering a students budget. Sorry if I am being a little thick headed, I just want to be sure before I make another purchase. Thanks.

Originally Posted by flampen85

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Basically I am looking for the most practical setup considering a students budget.
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The Norton 4k/8k works fine.

On a budget? Woodcraft is having a clearance sale on 3 2"x6" DMTs: 600, 1200, and 8k for U.S. $60. Add a coticule, Chinese 12k, a fine barber hone, or anything else around 12k to 16k. You may or may not like the diamond hones. Break them in before using 'em.

I have a distinct personal preference for diamond hones. You might like something else better.

Thats really tempting Steven, I'm not sure about it though. I have read that some people don't really like them so I would hate to sink the money in them and not like them. $60 bucks is not much though! I still have think about it. Thanks!