Thread: How many classic barber hones do you have?

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Ah shucks Tom you're too kind. What goes around comes around is the short story of Tom getting that Special Spike. I almost forgot to delete that one from my spreadsheet.

Deserved! I DID check that list and it was gone. An empty spot?
Seriously, some are amazing if you give them a chance.
I wish I had one back I sold.

Originally Posted by uthed

Any of these fired clay barber's hones you can use dry, wet with water, wet with shave cream, or <gasp> even wet with oil. They're non-porous. You just have to watch for a buildup of glaze, particulaly when you use them dry. Glaze will cause the blade to "float" on top of the buildup of honed metal on the stone and the cutting action of the abrasive surface beneath will be interrupted. A toothbrush and powdered kitchen cleanser will remove the glaze in a few seconds. (If you're blond, that means you have to scub the wet cleanser onto the stone with the toothbrush.)

I have a healthy respect for a smart ass.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Well, the excitement does wane a little when few want to hear about them.

I brought a pile of barber hones to a few meet-ups and found the only benefit was a little exercise from carrying them. These are basic, relatively boring, workhorses and they don't seem to generate the enthusiasm of the high end hones.

I am interested in them. I intent to learn from your experience at Dave's upcoming meet.

It seems to me they were come-about with the advent of hard American steel?
Some are really fast.
Modine knows more than anyone about these.
Where IS Modine?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Deserved! I DID check that list and it was gone. An empty spot?
Seriously, some are amazing if you give them a chance.
I wish I had one back I sold.

I hope you appreciate that the list was alphabetized to make checking easier.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

It seems to me they were come-about with the advent of hard American steel?
Some are really fast.
Modine knows more than anyone about these.
Where IS Modine?

True words. I found his research to be a very helpful guide.

Originally Posted by Lazarus

I hope you appreciate that the list was alphabetized to make checking easier.

I DID notice that! Was handy!

Thanks for responding. It seems like there are a few gems among the barber hones out there.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

It's a Necro-Poll!

I dig matching them-up with razors I have, so collecting. They do work, but I just use my waterstones.
I still have a short-stack compared to Lazarus!

I did manage to wrestle-away a 'Special Spike' one from him to go with my Spike!
Seriously, he gifted it to me. Great guy!

That is great. I'm sure it was a nice surprise!
It is funny you mention that though.
I actually want to do one or two display cases like that eventually. Matching hone, razor, strop.

I don't have a genuine Swaty yet, but I do have one that actually says, "Swaty Three Line!"

Fernsler's Ruby hone.....Frictionite 00. Swaty 3-line,
Legendary stuff. Never held one.
The axe-man Norton, Who knows? I have some Americans that look just like them?
All are pricey! Must be a reason?

I blame it on Barber-hone collectors!


Oh! AND the Aussie Axe-Men!

Originally Posted by JP5

Man, I've got like three! I don't have a diamond lapping stone so I haven't seriously used any of them. I know the binder is bad in one of them.

Do you frequently use barber hones for touching up or do you just like collecting them?

Was thinking to use the one with the bad binder to rub the calluses on your feet.
Lessee the other 2. A diamond lapping stone is the last thing you might need.....