Thread: Barber hone - how often and how many laps?

So I just bought a barber hone on ebay to use for touch ups on my razors and as the title says, just wondering how often I should use it and how many laps. I don't know if it really makes a difference but it was a vintage Carborundum ( VINTAGE CARBORUNDUM RAZOR HONE in box on eBay.ca (item 220603884376 end time 17-May-10 19:44:21 EDT) ). Thanks.

A barber hone is a maintenance hone. You should use it as soon as you feel ANY diminishment in the quality of your shave. I think it was Howard whom I first heard say "it's easier to keep a blade sharp than it is to sharpen a blade." A barber hone is best used to keep your razor sharp.

By the way, you got a great deal on that hone!

Old barbers that I talked to recommended 3 to 5 round trips then try it. Sometimes less is better than more. There is an old set of Swaty instructions that says as many as it takes until desired keenness is achieved.

thanks guys. So is it just do it on a feel base or would doing a couple laps once a week with the usual stropping be overkill?

IMO doing it as needed. IOW, when the razor feels like it needs a touch up. If it is working no need to fix it.

A good rule of thumb is if the razor is pulling when you shave, or is not removing hair properly. Or if you find you have to start using a little more pressure than normal. Thats when you'd use the hone to touch the edge up.

As Utopian says, once the shave isnt as good as it was, touch the razor up..!

Originally Posted by bmc1979

thanks guys. So is it just do it on a feel base or would doing a couple laps once a week with the usual stropping be overkill?

You have got a good hone at a good price and a lot of good advice as well. Use the barber hone when a sharp razor seems to start pulling or tugging and stropping no longer brings it up to snuff, 4-6 roundtrips on the hone and a good stropping should bring it back to par.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Use the barber hone when a sharp razor seems to start pulling or tugging and stropping no longer brings it up to snuff, 4-6 roundtrips on the hone and a good stropping should bring it back to par.

^ +1 on Kelly's comments. And he should know - he owns more barber hones than I've ever seen in one place!

And I know this isn't what you asked about, but having picked up a couple of barber hones off the 'bay myself, I would suggest you inspect it for imperfections before putting a razor on it (it didn't seem as though the seller knew much about it, so I doubt it's been lapped recently). It should feel smooth and flat to the touch. If it doesn't, hit the hardware store and pick up some GatorGrit waterproof sandpaper (about $1 per sheet) in 220g, 400g, 600g, & 1500g and lap it before use. Josh Earl posted a great how-to on lapping barber hones - it's in the wiki here: Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by MrDavid

^ +1 on Kelly's comments. And he should know - he owns more barber hones than I've ever seen in one place!

If Lynn or Ron show up t0 the meet with their collections, I will look like a pauper!

Thanks again for all the advice. I'll keep this in mind when the time comes for me to actually put it into action.