Thread: Antique Barber Hones

Hi All,

I've been shaving with a SR for a while now. I started with two and got them both professionally honed. I recently acquired 3 additional razors that will need honing an it seems as if this is starting to get expensive @ 15-20 a pop. So, thinking about honing them myself.... so in my search to acquire a hone I have seen quite a few antique barber hones. I was wondering if something like this could do the trick or if its necessary to get something with different grits like a Norton 4/8k. Also, is there anything that I should watch out for with the antique hones if I decide to go that way?

thanks!

My razors are either honed by a reputable professional or by myself on a norton 4/8 (the easy blades).

Once they're honed up right, I maintain the edges for months with good stropping (tony miller unpasted), and a 3 line Swaty barber hone.

With those tools I haven't had to send anything out for honing...yet.

I properly sharpened blade can be maintained with an old barbers hone for a good long while. Mostly beware of hones that have been used to the point that they have a "dishing" out of the stone. nice and flat is what you look for.

Take a straight edge with you, Like a steel ruler, and lay it across the stone, and if there is no light peeking through the middle, your good to go!

If you want to start honing your own razors, get the 4/8 & study the information available on how to use it. You can also get together with someone close to you for lessons.

Barber hones are great, I have some , but a few strokes, by someone not familiar with the basics of razor honing, can easily wipe out a shave ready edge. Just my opinion, though.

If you have the money, get both. Barber hones are sometimes offered by members here in the classified section & we have members that are Vendors, who sale them also. Look around here & you can get a good barber hone from a trusted source.

i like you figured id just get 1-3 razors already honed then just keep em goin on a strop or with the barber hone ...i thought hhhmmmm 15-20 $ isnt to bad if i can keep em going ... weeeeeeellllll 14 razors later i desided im gonna get the 4k/8k , learn how to do it and save in the long run !! wait a minute ??? i think i found the part of this where you save $ my using a straight razor ....lol

Get your razor pro honed first and then maintain it with a barbers hone. I tried honing an old blade once with nothing but a barbers hone, it does take a looooong time.

Hmm all good advice, thanks for the responses. I think after some more research im going to do the 4/8k ... seems like the better long term investment. Thanks again for all of the responses!