Thread: Little Devil + Honemaster Barber Hone

I have the two aformentioned barber hones and, now that my honing with the Norton is gaining real consistency, I want to build an edge from scratch using the classic hones. The Devil is coarse I understand and the Honemaster fine.

Q1. Will these two stones deliver the shaving edge or should I get a medium hone to use as an intermedite step like the Kimberly?

Q2. How is the pyramid honing system altered to use these hones?

Q3. What else do I need to know?

Talk about waiting patiently for a reply.

Okay, a reply finally <g>.

I just started fooling around with the hones I ave been buying from Tilly all year. I think I must have one of each by now.


I have used the Kimberly (lighter grey one) to start an edge on a pretty dull razor. I thne used the Perforated Hone to remoce any burr (use the side with the holes) an then used the other side to continue honing. I finished up with a few passes on the Cushion hone then off to the pastes.

I like the Kimberly hones and to me the light oe sems to cut faster than the dark one.

Tilly has a bunch of hones on eBay right now.

Tony

I have the little devil and the honemaster but frankly haven't used them much. From what I remember the little devil is coarse and is supposedly good to use to lap other hones. The honemaster is very fine kind of like the fine swatty's and is good as a typical barbers finishing hone.

As far as the honing routine goes I would think it would have to be altered unless you know the grit size in relation to the usual Norton combinations most of us use. If the grit size is similar then the routine should be the same. Like everything else you need to experiment. One day I'll have to start using the old hones I have but I'm still getting comfortable with the belgian stones I have.

Its hard teaching an old dog new tricks.

<< Its hard teaching an old dog new tricks.>>

Of course in this case it is teaching a new dog old tricks <g>

The barber hones and especially the Belgians have been around for ages. The Nortons, Shaptons and Spydercos are the new dogs just like us.

Tony

I just ordered the 3 hone beginners set from Tilly. It's going to be a learning experiance, I hope!
I think that I'm going to use sandpaper to lap them when they get here rather than getting the small stone for that purpose. I think that there is less chance of messing up with a large lapping surface as compared to the small stone.

Don in Ohio

Don,
I suggest lapping any of Tilly's hones. Occasionally one will have a slight raised edge that needs to be leveled off.
Use wet-dry paper and put it down on something flat and rub the hone acrosss the paper. A wet litchen counter of workbnch top will sually hold the paper down well.

Tony

Thanks Tony, I've got a granite surface plate certified flat to something like 1 ten thousandth of an inch. I suppose that should be close enough, don't ya think?
I figure to true up the surface and if it looks necessary, I'll knock any roughness off the edges with a slight bevel. Does that sound about right?

Don in Ohio

You got it Don. I always put a very slight bevel on my stones too, if they didn't already come with one. To me it's an added measure of safety in case I make a bad stroke. .....Jeff

Originally Posted by DonOhio39

Thanks Tony, I've got a granite surface plate certified flat to something like 1 ten thousandth of an inch. I suppose that should be close enough, don't ya think?
I figure to true up the surface and if it looks necessary, I'll knock any roughness off the edges with a slight bevel. Does that sound about right?

Don in Ohio

The surface plate will work. That's waht I use to lap on. Wet the plate, wet the paper and it will stay put.
Some barber hones will have a beveled edge already. If now bevel it. I use an old Norton combination stone I had for doing tools. Pretty coarse stone and it quickly puts a nice bevel on the hones.

Tony