Huh? Ok, I'm used to seeing these hit $50-75. Even the occasional 100... but what the hell? Are they the new Norton "Axeman" stone or something? They're a nice 2 sided stone, but they sure aren't worth anything close to a coti, much less an Escher.
Frictionite 00 going for $250+
- Thread starter SliceOfLife
- Start date
I think because the 00 are extremely rare, work extremely well (so I've heard. I've actually seen 1, but it was before I got into straights 
) and no one has been able to replicate it. There's lots of lore around it. IIRC, Other fictionite stones are more common and less expensive.
) and no one has been able to replicate it. There's lots of lore around it. IIRC, Other fictionite stones are more common and less expensive.
I guess this means I won't be giving mine away, after all. 
I guess you mean one of the crazy auctions on ebay..
Ok, so what is the deal with these hones? After this thread I was watching this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1154&autorefresh=true
The bid was at $12 with 5 minutes left and I thought what the hell I'll throw a bid of $40 and maybe it could replace my swaty.
These things are selling for more than coticules I've read that the rough side is roughly 3-4K and the finishing sides puts on a good edge and they both cut fast, but really? more than a coticule?
What am I missing here?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1154&autorefresh=true
The bid was at $12 with 5 minutes left and I thought what the hell I'll throw a bid of $40 and maybe it could replace my swaty.
These things are selling for more than coticules
I've read that the rough side is roughly 3-4K and the finishing sides puts on a good edge and they both cut fast, but really? more than a coticule?What am I missing here?
Well...I've tried probably over 200 different barber hones (used to collect them). My No. 00 Frictionite is one of my most used, top 4 favorite, barber hones. I finish hone on barber hones. Mine won't be for sale anytime soon.
Are they worth US $250? IMO, no. But then, I might be saying that because I wanna' keep their price down...
IIRC, The basic story is that the 00 was made by some old lady who died and took the recipe with her.
- Thread starter
- #8
I heard the exact same story about American Swaty's. I think there's some fellow with a shed full of hones who's making this stuff up.
No, I keep them in a spare linen closet.
Well...I've tried probably over 200 different barber hones (used to collect them). My No. 00 Frictionite is one of my most used, top 4 favorite, barber hones. I finish hone on barber hones. Mine won't be for sale anytime soon.
Are they worth US $250? IMO, no. But then, I might be saying that because I wanna' keep their price down...
Curious, in addition to the frictionite - what are the other 3 barber's hones that you like?
The Frictionite line of hones was made by the American Hone Company. The lady who made them was named Lois. She passed away in 2004. When she died there was an ingredients list but the process was not written down. The company was unable to recreate the process.
The American Hone Company was first located in New York, then in 1950 was sold and moved to Iowa, lock, stock and barrel on railroad cars. The seller sent an employee to Iowa to train the staff for a period of 4 months. Lois has just graduated from high school at that time, was trained to make the hones, and stayed with the company until 2004.
The Frictionite 00 hones are very well regarded, especially in Australia and amongst woodworkers.
I inherited my gradfathers Little Frictionite 00 and like it a lot.
Hope this helps,
The American Hone Company was first located in New York, then in 1950 was sold and moved to Iowa, lock, stock and barrel on railroad cars. The seller sent an employee to Iowa to train the staff for a period of 4 months. Lois has just graduated from high school at that time, was trained to make the hones, and stayed with the company until 2004.
The Frictionite 00 hones are very well regarded, especially in Australia and amongst woodworkers.
I inherited my gradfathers Little Frictionite 00 and like it a lot.
Hope this helps,
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The Frictionite line of hones was made by the American Hone Company. The lady who made them was named Lois. She passed away in 2004. When she died there was an ingredients list but the process was not written down. The company was unable to recreate the process.
The American Hone Company was first located in New York, then in 1950 was sold and moved to Iowa, lock, stock and barrel on railroad cars. The seller sent an employee to Iowa to train the staff for a period of 4 months. Lois has just graduated from high school at that time, was trained to make the hones, and stayed with the company until 2004.
The Frictionite 00 hones are very well regarded, especially in Australia and amongst woodworkers.
I inherited my gradfathers Little Frictionite 00 and like it a lot.
Hope this helps,
Ahh, so it is the axe men driving up the prices. I've read about them doing this for Norton Hones as well.
- Thread starter
- #13
Yeah the two sided "razor" hones with the oval NORTON on the face regularly fetch in the range of $500.
Superstition is a powerful marketing tool.
Superstition is a powerful marketing tool.
But the Norton two sided barber hone is recognized by those who own one as perhaps the best ever. One knowledgable honer has stated that only four passes on this hone will improve the edge from an Escher.
Unless one is a hone addict, I don't see that one is worth the price.
I also own a little Frictionite 00 double sided hone. They are good.
Frankly, the prices of a few hones has gone through the roof lately and I don't see a down side. Like land, they ain't making them any more.
Unless one is a hone addict, I don't see that one is worth the price.
I also own a little Frictionite 00 double sided hone. They are good.
Frankly, the prices of a few hones has gone through the roof lately and I don't see a down side. Like land, they ain't making them any more.
That's a good point - I wish I had talked that guy out of his a few years ago...
- Thread starter
- #16
Don't believe everything you hear. There's a rock in my back yard that with a single pass provides an edge keen enough to slice more cleanly than a cold laser. Some less experienced people will claim that it's a clump of mud and couldn't even abrade the steel, they're just jealous.
Wow. I sold mine with box and rubbing stone(whatever its called) for $50 a year ago.
I feel like a sucker now.
I feel like a sucker now.
chalk up another frictionite going for 250+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260670334037&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Insane that the same seller sold a 5x2 Escher for $170 and the Frictionite goes for that much more.
Crazy prices!
I actually recently won a frictionite 00 for $35 shipped and will have to give it a try to see what all the hype is. I imagine my eschers and thurri's will give a better edge.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260670334037&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Insane that the same seller sold a 5x2 Escher for $170 and the Frictionite goes for that much more.
Crazy prices!
I actually recently won a frictionite 00 for $35 shipped and will have to give it a try to see what all the hype is. I imagine my eschers and thurri's will give a better edge.
i have own at least 8 frictionate and had 2 nortons.
They are very unique stones.
The prices so high as Randy mention because of Axe men from australia.
if i am not mistaken they use both stones for professional competition.
Norton is a lot finer and faster then frictionate.
you will not believe your eyes when you check the edge comes of Norton.
Frictionate edge will be the one of the best edges barber hones puts.
i sold my 2 nortons on bay and there were only 1 USA bidders paid 550.00 and rest of the people were from australia.
Remember guys .
Stone will bring money what is worth.
There were will be sometimes price differences but i don't think you will ever seen norton go lower then 350.00.
Frictionate 00 may be . this is because at the moment a lot people owns it.
as soon as their demand will go higher then price will go high too.
That stones will never be made anymore . Similar to Eschers.
Some people knows that.
They are very unique stones.
The prices so high as Randy mention because of Axe men from australia.
if i am not mistaken they use both stones for professional competition.
Norton is a lot finer and faster then frictionate.
you will not believe your eyes when you check the edge comes of Norton.
Frictionate edge will be the one of the best edges barber hones puts.
i sold my 2 nortons on bay and there were only 1 USA bidders paid 550.00 and rest of the people were from australia.
Remember guys .
Stone will bring money what is worth.
There were will be sometimes price differences but i don't think you will ever seen norton go lower then 350.00.
Frictionate 00 may be . this is because at the moment a lot people owns it.
as soon as their demand will go higher then price will go high too.
That stones will never be made anymore . Similar to Eschers.
Some people knows that.
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- Thread starter
- #20
And like 3 days ago a 00 went for under $50 (maybe the one you won, I recall it sitting at $32 for a LONG time). Some people have more money than they know what to do with. Best of luck with the one you got.
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