Thread: question about barbers hones.

ok I know Barbers hones are for quicky touchups but this question isnt about razors its about knives. has anyone used a barbers hone for knife touch ups I ask just because I would rather get some feedback from you lot before I go and ruin an old barbers hone doing my knives that and isnt a barbers hone somewhere between 8-10,000 grit. ? if so using one may take awhile.


thanks
shayne

If it is a typical barber hone, hard as nails, I don't see a problem with it. Just don't use too much pressure. Some of those old ones lose their properties and can get 'powdery' but you'll find out when you go to it.

Hi ya jimmy,
isnt a barbers hone somewhere between 8 -10 thou grit ?

thanks

Shayne

Originally Posted by shayne

Hi ya jimmy,
isnt a barbers hone somewhere between 8 -10 thou grit ?

thanks

Shayne

Well I used to read that. Some would say a Swaty was 12,000, but Randy, who is about as knowledgeable on barber hones as anyone in the world, found, after buying out American Hone Company's stuff, that they are more likely to be 4,000 grit or thereabouts. Which would account for their speed. Anyway, that isn't a blanket statement of all of them. Some may be finer than others. All you can do is give it a try and see how it works for you. Observe the results on the knife and the effect of the barber hone.

would 8-10k grit be too much for the average knife? I have japanese steel kitchen knives and stop around 5K with those guys... My german steel knives were about as good as they could get by the time I hit 1200k

Bear in mind that the angle on a knife is far different from a razor, and the work you do with it is generally more taxing on the blade, there probably isn't much measurable benefit to taking a knife to that level and if you do you'll likely have to touch it up more often to keep that edge you've created

Originally Posted by fchan

would 8-10k grit be too much for the average knife?

Yes I think you are right. I usually stay with 325 and occasionally go to my 600 grit diamond plate. I'm not an expert on knife sharpening by any means though.

I'm fortunate enough to have several barber hones & have one assigned strictly for my knives & axe. It is a Swaty. It does quite well on my knives & axe. I never use that particular hone on my razors. I have not tried all the brands I have, but I don't see this old Swaty being more than 6000 at best, closer to the 4000 I might add, but I am no barber hone expert.