Champion Barbers Hone

I picked one of these up the other day, for 5 dollars.
Just now I was reading, and there are three threads that warn to stay away from them.

I wonder why, as I believe mine will actually put a better finish on my straights than my vintage thuringan.

Is there any truth to them being crap?
Did I luck out and get a gem?

It was nearly flat when purchased, and a little time on the 400 grit paper flattened it perfectly. It certainly feels rougher to the touch than the thuringan, but once a blade goes on, smooth sailing.

Wow!!!!!
It's amazing that you got a great finish from that hone. I've kept mine just as an example of a horrible hone. It chewed up the edge of the razor I tested it with. It put horrible microchipping into the blade. One cursory look under the microscope explained why. The grit was extremely variable in size and some of it was quite large.

Either you got a gem or the rest of us got crap.
Anyway, that's lucky for you!

I went back and looked at it under my little 30x microscope.
Seems to be OK, but the thuringan does leave a smoother bevel surface.
I am a relative noob when it comes to this. :o
But anyways, it's the shave in the end that counts right?:rock:

Well there are a few "bad" barber hones out there, and I suppose those who used them will want to let everyone know the experience.
But there are also a few bad natural hones and other man made ones too.

Used properly that Champion should give you great shaves for a long time.