Thread: Barber Hone Cleaning and Sterilizing

I briefly posed this question in another thread but wanted to give it it's own thread so it would get more attention.

Does anyone else here worry about pathogens in a vintage hone? I think of a scenario where a barber cuts a patron while shaving them then doesn't properly clean the razor before taking it to the hone. Assume said patron had a disease that was transferred to the hone. Given the porous surface of the hone, it seems like a good place for pathogens to live.

A follow up would be what is the best way to sterilize a vintage hone. I would think heating it up in water for a certain amount of time would be best. But would it ruin the hone? I think not since these hones are made under such extreme conditions.

I am only posing this possibly ridiculous question here because this is a forum for smart and stupid queries alike, so sorry if you find it a waste of time.

Hello. My name is Daniel, and I am a germaphobe...

To be honest you are indeed ridiculous, silly and a germaphobe indeed, listen to this:


STOP IT


There's not a chance in hell you can catch anything from a hone EVER. There's no need to even consider this.

throw it in a tub with some Water,add some bleach,let it soak overnight.
My stones are always under water with a little bleach added just to keep the water from smelling bad.
change it maybe once a month if I remember.

Ok, well a simple "No" would have worked, but thanks.

Originally Posted by Blix

To be honest you are indeed ridiculous, silly and a germaphobe indeed, listen to this:


STOP IT


There's not a chance in hell you can catch anything from a hone EVER. There's no need to even consider this.

Thanks Blix for the tough love.

But really, not a chance..EVER?

Originally Posted by danxaz

Does anyone else here worry about pathogens in a vintage hone?

Nope, I don't. It's a rock. Any cruddy looking hones I've bought got soap, water, and a scrub brush. It's worked so far.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

throw it in a tub with some Water,add some bleach,let it soak overnight.
My stones are always under water with a little bleach added just to keep the water from smelling bad.
change it maybe once a month if I remember.

Interesting.

It is not a silly question really, but I daresay the chances of a hone either containing any pathogens, or passing them onto you via a honed razor, is so small as to be for all intents and purposes 0. It is all about risk assessment and management in my book - look to the higher risk phenomenon (like avoiding cuts) and manage those in proportion to their relative risk.

James.

Originally Posted by danxaz

Thanks Blix for the tough love.

But really, not a chance..EVER?

Well if an Aids, Ebola or Black Plauge patient bleeds all over it just before you hone your razor on it and cut yourself badly while shaving, you might catch something. But even in that worst case scenario you most possibly would not catch anything just by rinsing the hone in water before honing...
Germaphobia is just irrational , STOP IT (you should get the MAD TV reference by now)

I disagree with all of you. The various disorders acquired from hones are well documented on this very forum.

HAD, for one, is worth mentioning.