Barber's Hone for Newbie?

[chickpea]

Any thoughts on this barber's hone?

OOPS APOLOGIES FOR BREAKING RULES! (link removed)

I just got into straight shaving and well, I am a little concerned that because I am poor at stropping the razor (as most newbie straight shavers are) and I am sure that soon the razor will need a light touch up very soon, given that the razor was not necessarily "shave ready" when purchased (i purchased 2nd hand from a B&B member after about 10 shaves) and the razor was originally from Lynn. So it shouldn't be too far off, but then again, newbies ruin edges. So I was thinking it might be smart to pick up a barber's hone for light touch ups so I don't need to send this out in another month or so. (PS. I know my way around a hone, this would not be the first hone I own, or the first time I hone something).

What say you fine gents?

Is this hone ok for light touch ups? Is the cost in the ballpark for these types of hones?

Am I setting myself up for sheer catastrophe?

 

[Slartibartfast]

That barber hone is not going to stay cheap.....

Keep in mind sharpening a knife/chisel is different than honing a razor.

 

[chainfire]

I'm completely new to all this myself, so take all this with a grain of salt, but my 2 cents is that $15-20 shipped to you for anything but a Swaty is about the most you'd want to pay (so if it doesn't go any higher it's an ok deal at the current price - the shipping is a bit steep @ $7).

I'd almost recommend putting out a wtb on the BST board and if you don't get anything by the time this one ends you can always bid, but I wouldn't go much higher than it is now if you can help it.

 

[chickpea]

hmm, ok with that in mind what is the going rate for a decent touch up or barber's hone?

Also, question: do you have to lapp a Spyderco Hone? As they are ceramic I was under the impression that they don't need to be (or even can't be) lapped. I have a Spyderco Hone for knives and I would consider getting a Spyderco UF hone for touchups.

What say you oh oracles of all things flashy and sharp?

(PPS, yup I realize that a straight razor honing is different (and maybe markedly so) from a normal knife honing, I only said that to emphasize that the world of honing itself was not a complete mystery to me so less of a learning curve on honing a straight)

 

[r0ckrat]

Chickpea, live auction links are verbotten. Might want to edit your post to remove the link before a mod does it for you.

 

[azmark]

I had the same dilemma when I was looking into hones and luckily I already had a Spyderco Fine and Ultra Fine I used for knives and broad heads for bow hunting. Im just sticking to UF until I need to send it out to be honed again.

As far as Im aware, you are not suppose to lap them.

 

[r0ckrat]

If you have a Woodcraft store in your town, you can pick up a Chinese 12k for around $20. Or look in your local antique malls for a Barbers Hone. I've found several nearby me, and haven't spent more than $20 on any of them yet.

Here's the Chinese 12k on woodcraft.com for reference:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004920/5985/Natural-Water-Stone--8-x-2-x-1.aspx

 

[Synack]

If you have a Woodcraft store in your town, you can pick up a Chinese 12k for around $20. Or look in your local antique malls for a Barbers Hone. I've found several nearby me, and haven't spent more than $20 on any of them yet.

Here's the Chinese 12k on woodcraft.com for reference:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004920/5985/Natural-Water-Stone--8-x-2-x-1.aspx

You sir, totally rock! I never realized that Woodcraft actually had brick and mortar stores... Turns out I've been driving past one daily for over two years now... Less than one block up a side street.

I know where I'm going after work tomorrow...

 

[r0ckrat]

I shop online to determine what I want, then walk into the store to actually get it. Gotta support those local businesses, you know? Great resource for info most of the time too. The guys at the Seattle location are all avid wood workers, and know their stuff.

 

[chickpea]

Thanks, I actually ended up buying a lightly used Chinese 12K from a B&B member for $19 w shipping. So I am happy. and this issue is resolved. Only problem is that I will no longer have the sharpness of my razor to blame for my poor shaves

Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something else to blame my poor shaves on (I mean, come on, it's gotta be anything other than my poor technique right?)

 

[Ray-man]

The Spyderco UF and the Chinese whatever it is, both need to be honed flat. I have a Spyderco UF and it took me over 2 hours with a DMT 325 to get it flat. I have heard the same thing from others who have lapped the Chinese stone.

If you don't lap these stone, I think they would be just fine for knives. But before I would put the edge of any razor to them, I would want to make sure that looking at the surface of the stone with a 30x loop, it didn't look like the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

If you are plan on producting a precise edge, you need to consider the condition of the surface you are going to use to do it with.

Just my humble opinion.

Ray

 

[leighton]

Took me longer to get a good surface on my UF. Much much longer. On the magnitude of days in fact.

Anyway, theres absolutely no reason you need a surface as fine as mine, nor do you need to lap it at all. Thats just a myth.