Thread: Barber's hones -- Use

I pored through the Wiki, looking for instructions on how to use a barber's hone, but I could not find anything.

I saw one used in a movie (the Great Dictator), but I don't want to risk ruining my razor or stone because some Hollywood guy didn't do the right thing...

Is it similar to a regular hone? Do you use oil on it or water? Do you lap it similarly to a waterstone?

TIA

this is a great video by Gssixgun on barber hone use.....

Barber's hones are for touching up an edge that is just starting to pull or feel dullish on the shave. Once that happens you apply lather and make 3-7 strokes on the barber's hone (depending on the pulling). You should be fine after stropping for your shave.

Glen's video is a very good one on barber's hones.

nothing else need be said!~!

M

How do you guys find these, with lather used, compared to a decent japanese finisher (final finisher, that is, like a good tight non-scratchy ozuku, etc)?

Originally Posted by DaveW

How do you guys find these, with lather used, compared to a decent japanese finisher (final finisher, that is, like a good tight non-scratchy ozuku, etc)?

The difference is that going to a nice Ozuku is more into the "Chasing a Perfect Edge" realm of this hobby rather than "I just want a comfortable Shave"

Honestly most of the upper end of this hobby and using the High Grit hones and Natural finishers is more about chasing that last elusive 1% of the edge...

ie: Hobby vs Shaving

Well, my small (and not so expensive) japanese hones aren't that good. I'm thinking they're probably more like a barber's hone, but they are comfortable to shave from - not blindingly sharp. Well, one of them is exceedingly fine, but it imparts a soft edge still.

Chasing a perfect edge costs a lot of money, and can lead to a lot of razorburn on my skin. As a daily shaver, I'm asking more from the practicality (maintenance) side, where you spend no more than 5 minutes a week on a razor, including the time it takes to get the hone out and put it away.

Dave, I just don't know quite how to answer, a Barber's hone IMHO gives a Good edge it does it fast and efficiently and normally they can be had at a very low cost...
Basically for simple edge maintenance I don't think there is anything better...

The problem is you are asking me to compare it to a natural stone which I have never touched let alone honed on...

i tryed my barbers hone. i likedit, very nice shave, i would say the edge felt more crunchy smooth to me, with plenty of shavability. my skin after was perfect, absalutley no alum sting , so that says it all to me . there neat little hones and its great to do the touch ups with just 5/8 laps a week ..

gary

Bah, I really need to get a Barber hone!