Small cracks in Swaty

Hey all,

So I have a nice 3-line Swaty that was already lapped (thanks ChrisL) but the edges had deep gouges in them. It almost looked as if someone was breadknifing on the edge of the stone....weird. So in an attempt to make the stone prettier, I lapped the sides too. It went just fine and I took my time on my new DMT D8C with plenty of water, finishing with 1500 grit sandpaper. The sides came out beautifully, but with one slight concern.

I tried to take a close up picture, but there are a few of these superficial cracks on the edges (5 or so per side) that appear as faint lines. They can't be felt, but I'm just worried they'll spread (like a crack in a windshield). On a couple of the cracks the line continues on a few mm onto the top and bottom surface. It doesn't affect honing at all, but is there any risk of it worsening?

I'm wondering if it was just from previous abuse that caused these micro-cracks. Have any of you experienced these little cracks in barber hones? And are they any cause for alarm?

Thanks, as always.

I've had a handful of barber hones (and coticules) that have hairline cracks. Some I've lapped and others I haven't touched. I don't have problems with the ones that hairline and can't be felt when honing or with touch.

Chris L

If you're worried, you could always back it with something to stabilise it. It may get no worse, but there's no real way to tell.

I have one finish hone that looks like crackled dried mud but hones just as sweet as can be

I wouldn't worry.

maybe you can make lemonade with it ?
sounds like a damn good reason to buy a new hone !! :rock:

I wouldn’t worry, if you look at the rest of the surface, the “crack” is about as wide as the patterns, and they also appear to be filled so it should not harm your razors edge (you will be sweeping at 45 deg across them anyway).