Vintage Swaty Hone. Help?

[Finnigan]

I just received a vintage swaty hone as a gift. First, I'm surprised at how small it is, though it is wider than my coticule.

Anyway, I have no experience with a hone like this. I was wondering if someone experienced with then could answer a few questions?

1. Is this a ceramic hone?

2. It has some small chips out of the corners. Is this a problem?

3. Which side is most commonly used to hone. The side with the imprinted logo, or the side with the larger surface area?

4. Do these types of hones need to be lapped?

Any info or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[mparker762]

1. Is this a ceramic hone?

yes



2. It has some small chips out of the corners. Is this a problem?


not necessarily, if they're just on the corners. You might want to bevel them, and bevel the sides a bit to reduce the chances of this happening again.




3. Which side is most commonly used to hone. The side with the imprinted logo, or the side with the larger surface area?


They both are. The logo side is the finer of the two sides, though there's not a huge difference between them...




4. Do these types of hones need to be lapped?


I'd lap it before trying to use it. Once they're flat they'll stay flat a long time. But lap it that first time just to make sure...

[headdoc]

What is the grit on these? 1K 4K 8K or 12K?
Thanks

[bjrn]

From what I've read, somewhere in the 10k-12k region.

[gglockner]

An excellent finishing hone, there are a few different types out there. Most are noted as being a 2-line or a three line, which is the number of lines of text on it. They are an extremely hard hone, and when lapping against another hone they usually win. There is some history about how the inventor never shared his receipe for this hone and took it to the grave. Yes, barber hones are small and care must be taken when used. Some of the thicker ones I will grab with my fingers when in the palm of my hand. On the thinner ones like this one, I lay it flat on my palm with my fingers and thumb down as low as they will go. I will typically only use it wet or with lather. They do tend to have a bit of grit difference from one side to the other. They are very slow cutting, so not much of an over honing issue. Will put a wicked edge on a razor.

Glen

[TOB9595]

What is the difference between the 2 line and 3 line?
I just received a 3 line Swaty as a gift from someone who knows good gifts :)