Thread: Difference in Carborundum Hones

I notice that the Carborundum Company seems to have made quite a few different barbers hones. I have never tried one but I have wanted one for at least a year and I'm thinking of putting in a bid or two on the bay this week.

So, for example, the different numbers I've come across so far are 118s, 177, F20, No 104, etc. I appreciate that some of these hones are of different sizes but are the grit characteristics the same for all of them?

Cheers,

I know the 101, 101A and 102 are sure enough razor hones. If I am not mistaken as the model number increases the grits become coarser and the larger numbers begin to be more suitable for knives and tools and less for razor touch ups. Perhaps Utopian, hi_bud_gl, Sticky or Randydance would be more definite on what the cutoff for razor honing for razors is going by the model numbers.

I started doing a bit of research on this a while ago. (Even made myself a little spreadsheet to keep track of numbers and dimensions.) And I'm not convinced of the number/coarseness theory I've read about on the forums. As far as the original "Carborundum Razor Hones" in the dark blue boxes go, I think the different numbers designate different sizes of hones only.

A catalog page from 1911 (Jenson-King-Byrd Co.) pictures a "Carborundum Razor Hone" with the description: "Made from the Finest Carborundum Floater Powder possible to produce; unexcelled for fast cutting and for giving a Keen Hair Splitting Edge." It then lists three columns--model numbers (101 and 103), size (inches), and price. Absolutely no difference is advertised between the two models besides size and price. The 101 and 103 are each made from the same "Finest Carborundum Floater Powder."

And the only advertised difference I've found between the 101, 101A, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 Carborundum Razor Hones is the size. (Of course, this does not include the 79, 115S, 118S, 152, 180, or the Carborundum Dry Hones.)

However, I've only used a handful of the 100 models, so my research is incomplete. I should buy a few more Carborundum Razor Hones. =)


Christopher

I've always had a hankering for Carborundum hone because they used to be a very big company near here (in Niagara Falls) and I like using local products (Geneva Cutlery, etc.).

Originally Posted by CJBianco

I started doing a bit of research on this a while ago. (Even made myself a little spreadsheet to keep track of numbers and dimensions.) And I'm not convinced of the number/coarseness theory I've read about on the forums. As far as the original "Carborundum Razor Hones" in the dark blue boxes go, I think the different numbers designate different sizes of hones only.

A catalog page from 1911 (Jenson-King-Byrd Co.) pictures a "Carborundum Razor Hone" with the description: "Made from the Finest Carborundum Floater Powder possible to produce; unexcelled for fast cutting and for giving a Keen Hair Splitting Edge." It then lists three columns--model numbers (101 and 103), size (inches), and price. Absolutely no difference is advertised between the two models besides size and price. The 101 and 103 are each made from the same "Finest Carborundum Floater Powder."

And the only advertised difference I've found between the 101, 101A, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 Carborundum Razor Hones is the size. (Of course, this does not include the 79, 115S, 118S, 152, 180, or the Carborundum Dry Hones.)

However, I've only used a handful of the 100 models, so my research is incomplete. I should buy a few more Carborundum Razor Hones. =)


Christopher

Utopian has said something similar re: numbering and grits, if I remember correctly.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. The only thing left for me to do now is jump in and buy one.

(Of course, this does not include the 79, 115S, 118S, 152, 180, or the Carborundum Dry Hones.)

so, what of those hones? razor hones or no? how do they differ?

Originally Posted by p.z.

so, what of those hones? razor hones or no? how do they differ?

Yes, those are all razor hones. Some are marketed "Carborundum Razor Hone" and some are marketed "Carborundum Dry Hone."

The size is one difference. The grit is another, I suspect. (I've read that the 118S is coarse, but I've never owned one so I can't comment.) The 152 is a double-sided razor hone, which shows that the Carborundum Company marketed at least two different grits for razor honing--coarse and the usual fine. And I'm sure the myriad ingredients changed around a little once they abandoned the 100 series in the dark blue boxes. As I said, I've only played with a handful of CRHs, so most of this is logic and speculation.

However, if you stick with the 100 series Carborundum Razor Hones, you'll be just fine. The 100 series Carborundum Razor Hones are the most under-priced and underrated barber hones on the market, IMHO. Nothing beats the buttery smoothness of the Carborundum Razor Hone. =)


Me

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

So, for example, the different numbers I've come across so far are 118s, 177, F20, No 104, etc.

For the sake of future research, I'd like to note that F20 was the eBay seller's internal auction number for that particular auction. (Every item sold by that eBay seller ends with a letter/number combination such as F20, E59, D12, etc.) It is not an official Carborundum Company number.

Thanx,
Me

There is no correlation between the grit size and the ID number of the hone. Both the 101 and the 201 are fine razor hones. The hone numbers range from under 100 to over 200 and the razor hones are interspersed along that range.

The low 100 series hones all do seem to be the same grit when you consider the 101a through the 105. These seem to only differ by size. The 106 is the same size as the 103 but it differs in two respects. It is softer and it is more porous. The others are tremendously hard and you will deeply regret it if you try to lap on of them. The others also are non-porous. Water simply beads up on them. The 106 is different. It laps easily and wanter does soak into it. I suspect that the 106 has the same grit but has a different binder or waterproofing component or both.

Regarding Carborundums in general. There is a lot of variation in them. Only some of them are razor hones, and they will be identified as such on their boxes. If the box says "razor hone," buy it. If the box says "sharpening hone," it's not of use for razors.