Thread: Barber Hones For Newbies

Almost every day I get asked about what barber hone someone should start with to either get a razor sharp or to keep it going. These are usually from people not yet ready to splurge on a Norton and of course they need to be hones that are easy to find. Out of the choices available from Tilly, www.redtrader99.com what would you suggest? Maybe a both a medium and a fine?
I actually own one of eveything she has but am just starting out with them so have little to base my choices on. I have had my best results with the Kimberly hone (the light grey one) and the Cushion Hone. I also use the perforated one on occasion too.

So:
If you were choosing a pair what would they be?

If you were choosing only one, what would it be?


Thanks,
Tony

Tony, I see tilly has made a beginner's setup with three of her hones: Lithide hone, Gem and the Cushioned Strop hone. I guess that's what you need to keep the razor sharp.

cheers,
Nenad

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I have had my best results with the Kimberly hone (the light grey one) and the Cushion Hone.

I'm in the same boat with the barber hones. Do you use the Kimberly to cut deeper grooves like the 4000 grit stone would and then the cushion to smooth it down some or what?

X

There are so many people asking what hone to get from Tilly and so few of us took the plunge and picked up an alternate to the Norton. I for one can’t wait to see what the out come is on this thread, because I’ve wanted to pick up a couple of Tilly’s hones for some time now.
Maybe someone tight with Tilly could inspire her to come and give us a brief run down in her own words?

I was told back when I was deliberating over getting the Norton or what ever else, that the “it’s a peach” hone is an excellent finishing hone. I was this close *holds up two fingers* to getting the “it’s a peach” but I found a good deal on the Norton and the logical choice was the combination hone for only $15 more

I got a beginner set from Tilly (gem, cushioned strop and lithide) and I think it works well for my skill set. I managed to get one of my eBay special sharp enough to shave with but it could use some work. I'm sure it's my technique but for the most part, it works for me!

Tilly is offering a set? I'll have to check it out.
I do have a bunch of Tilly hones, but no lithide;
Here's my take on some of the ones I own:

Itsapeech-this is an amazing finishing hone IMHO. I've actually improved an edge with it after leaving the Norton. Very glassy finish, no idea what grit, but pretty sure its well over 8000 grit; the 8k Norton feels coarse compared to this thing.

Peaches & Cream: This is a 2 sided combo hone, fairly coarse on one side, and velvet smooth on the other (3k/8k, just a guess) VEERRRRY handy hone. Works well with lather.

3-Line American Swaty-I read somewhere its a combo hone but have a difficult time telling the difference. It does a good job, sortof in the middle "jack-of-all-trades" hone. Not coarse, not superfine. Sortof in the middle.

Skute-I don't know if she has any more of these. Combo hone, this thing is made of a soft waxy substance, and will nick if you raise up the spine of the razor. Sortof handy because when it is clogged or just needs lapping, no sandpaper, etc is needed. Just wipe it with a cloth soaked in turpentine, (per directions!) and the old, smooth layer just sloughs off revealing new hone surface...Perhaps 3k/7k(?), it wins points for just being cool.

Velvet edge-I like this hone pretty well. Very similar to the Itsapeech, although somehow not QUITE as smooth. If there is a huge price difference (I got the Itsapeech when they were still "cheap") this one is perhaps more economical for similar performance. Probably well over 8k, but again, not quite as smooth as the Itsapeech.

Cushion strop-hone-I got this one from Tony, and he has expertly renewed these by attaching cork padding and a new leather stropping surface on one side, bringing it to similar conditions as when these were originally marketed. Excellent work, I just haven't had opportunity to try one. My advice? grab them while they're still available.

Dubl Duck-(not from Tilly) This is a combination hone, and as barber combination hones go, it is very high on my list. I can get very good edges with this one.

Perforated hone-I've had decent luck with mine. Has holes in the middle of the stone supposedly to remove the wire edge before it is created, during the honing process. Stone seems to clog fairly quickly, but does a pretty decent job.

Franz Swaty-purchased dirt cheap($7-for the "old sharpening rock") at a gun show from a guy who apparently didn't know what it was for-this is a great hone, real nice velvety feedback when honing, not sure what grit to throw this into, but it does a really nice job.

There are others, but I've already typed a novel.
Anybody else has some barber hones, feel free to add, maybe this will help out folks looking to try them out (?)
Just a thought,
John P.

Originally Posted by JohnP

There are others, but I've already typed a novel.
John P.

Bravo!!
Novel or not, this is exactly the kind of info I think Tony was seeking and I know I was needing haha..
Thanks for the run down, I know it'll help a lot.

I just talked to tilly, and she has advised that the Lithide is maybe what I need for refining the 8000 edge... Well, that's my order. I will post my impressions...

Nenad

Okay, here is the scoop from Tilly. I asked her today about applications for the hones:

""The beginner package is for those who are starting out and want to to
sharpen ebay or used razors....
The fine hones i have for touch ups and maintaining the razors keenness-
Lithide, itsapeech, are the best....I push the lithide because it easier
to use.....but it has to be lapped good!

The rest of the hones can accomplish the same thing in an experienced
hand....

most of the other hones are med/ to med/ fine...
Little devil is a great lapping hone as well as a more med/coarse
hone...

cushion strops are fastcutting and eccellent for setting an
edge.......dull razors ect... ""

I used the Kimberly in place of the 4K Norton and then a few swats across the perforated front, then the back and off to the paddle strop and I ws pleased. I actually had better luck than I did on my Norton.

Tony

I have lots of hones. I think my favorite finisher is Honemaster. It's very fine.

I'm gettinghones in hopesof minimizing my use of the Norton 4/8K. It's a mess. Wherever possible I try to use a dry hone, for convenience.

The big problem has always been the coarser grits. I haven't found a barber hone that really does it. I have a very fine diamond that I use to start a new edge or for a bad chip. It's about 1200 and very fast. i don't think I'd use anything coarser. I also have a Spyderco fine, which is something like 3K or 4K. I can use both of hese dry, and that covers me at the low end.

The medium and fine are covered by barber hones. I think the Wester brothers is the only real medium. The cushion strop is finer, but quick. I don't think any are coarser thean 5K.

I have a bunch of two sided hones, but their coarse isn't as good as the Wester and their fine isn't really that fine.

I keep two baber hones at the sink for instant use. I mostly use a Swaty for quick touchups while shaving, Just a few swipes work magic. It's a fine hone, but very fast. The other one os a Victory dry hone/strop I picked up on Ebay. It has a really fine stone on one side and a hard plexiglass type material on the other which is the strop. One swipe on it is supposed to be like 10 on leather. It is mor effective. If I have to strop at the sink, I use that. I'll also use the stone side dry before a shave if the razor seems to need it.

I have two new acquisitions that I haven't tried yet. One is a Droescher water hone. It comes with a Nagura stone. The other is an old Belgian yellow/blue. I want to try that corticle! I understand the blue side is too slow for a 4K.