Barbers hone- Carborundum

**natchez** · 02-06-2011, 02:45 PM

I have been playing with a few barbers hones I recently bought just for the heck of it and have come to liking the Swaty, or Swaty-like, hones and surprisingly, at least to me, the old, small Carborundum #102. After the barbers hones I have been using different pasted strops to polish with acceptable edge results. I was curious as to how one can do with just a barbers hone and a paste approach and I have been pleasantly surprised.

Does anyone else like the little Carborundums, or am I alone in the barbers hone wilderness?

**superbleu** · 02-06-2011, 02:50 PM

Utopian loves these, he usually posts on SRP but sometimes finds his way over here. He's the go to guy for more info on Carborundum hones.

I have a small one, 4.5 x 2

I think mine is also a 102, or maybe a 101a I forget

**natchez** · 02-06-2011, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by superbleu

Utopian loves these, he usually posts on SRP but sometimes finds his way over here. He's the go to guy for more info on Carborundum hones.

I have a small one, 4.5 x 2

I think mine is also a 102, or maybe a 101a I forget

Mine seems to be about 1 1/2" x 4", but I am sure we are talking about the same little stones. I will take a look at that other forum and do a search.

**superbleu** · 02-06-2011, 03:03 PM

It's a 102 then, same size as mine, I have a bad memory.

here is the thread on srp about mine

**jtrops** · 02-06-2011, 05:23 PM

I have a 101a that has been great. I use it as my finisher and sometimes I'll follow up with CrOx, but not usually. When my edge seems to be pulling a bit a couple of passes on the 101a brings it back. When it doesn't quite get it to where I want it the balsa/CrOx takes it the rest of the way. It seems to be a fairly fast cutter. I prefer to use it with soap/lather, but sometimes I'll use it dry or with a little water.

**LarryAndro** · 02-07-2011, 06:45 AM

Judging from the frequency these Carborundums appear for sale on Ebay, in their day they were obviously much used and common. They are one of the most commonly sold barbers hones in my opinion.

**InvictusManeo** · 02-07-2011, 07:29 AM

i have a no. 200. It is more that sufficient to keep up an edge. I used the barber's hone then CrOx for the last several months to maintain my razors with great results.

**natchez** · 02-07-2011, 07:51 AM

Here is a list of the numbers of the hones from carborundum that are suitable for razors for any interested. http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwik...borundum_Hones

**auk1124** · 07-12-2012, 07:19 PM

If anyone is interested here's a list of Carborundum hones from what is purported to be a WWII era Carborundum sales brochure (I don't own the brochure, saw a picture of it on ebay):

"Scythe Stones" (no grit rating mentioned)
190 10 x 1x 5/8
191 12 x 1 1/4 x 3/4
192 10 x 1 1/4 x 3/4

"Combination Stones" (all listed as coarse/fine grit)
108 8 x 2 x 1
109 6 x 2 x 1
111 5 x 2 x 3/4
112 4 x 1 3/4 x 5/8
107 4 x ?? x 1

"Sharpening Stones" (single grit)
116 8 x 2 x 1, Medium
117 8 x 2 x 1, Coarse
118 8 x 2 x 3/4, Fine
119 8 x 2 x 3/4, Medium
122 6 x 2 x 1, Medium
123 6 x 2 x 1, Coarse
124 6 x 2 x 3/4, Fine
125 6 x 2 x 3/4, Medium
126 6 x 2 x 3/4, Coarse
131 6 x 1 1/2 x 1/2, Medium
134 7 x 2 x 1, Medium
137 5 x 2 x 5/8, Medium
142 4 x 1 3/4 x 1/2, Fine
143 4 x 1 3/4 x 1/2, Medium
144 4 x 1 3/4 x 1/2, Coarse
145 4 x 1 x 1/4, Fine
146 4 x 1 x 1/4, Medium
147 4 x 1 x 1/4, Coarse

At least this is what I saw listed for 1940's era Carborundum stones. Specs may have changed over the years.

**Legion** · 07-12-2012, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by superbleu

Utopian loves these, he usually posts on SRP but sometimes finds his way over here. He's the go to guy for more info on Carborundum hones.

I have a small one, 4.5 x 2

I think mine is also a 102, or maybe a 101a I forget

Utopian is a banned member at SRP, and I don't think he will be finding his way over here any more either...

**Rschan** · 07-13-2012, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by legion

Utopian is a banned member at SRP, and I don't think he will be finding his way over here any more either...

Why is that David? I know that he has been banned over there But Here ??????

He has abundance of knowledge on Barber hones,

I'm also using Carbo 102 followed by CrOx on balsa strop. It works great.

**Legion** · 07-13-2012, 02:35 PM

Umm... Well I have an idea, but I don't know for sure so I will keep it to myself. But let's just say you might need to look for barber hone info elsewhere. That is the only reason I mentioned it.

**Disburden** · 07-13-2012, 05:59 PM

I have the small 102guys and the smaller 104 and I love them.
its funny how underrated these barber hones are....they work well and give nice shaves.

**Disburden** · 07-13-2012, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by superbleu

Utopian loves these, he usually posts on SRP but sometimes finds his way over here. He's the go to guy for more info on Carborundum hones.

I have a small one, 4.5 x 2

I think mine is also a 102, or maybe a 101a I forget

Utopian is now on razorandstone.com

**CajunOttsie** · 09-13-2012, 04:45 PM

I bought a 118s Carborundom off E-bay. looks to be in great shape with nothing cracked or chipped.
My question is whether I would still use a 300-400 grit wet/dry sandpaper to lap it or do I use something else?
Sorry, just learning from scratch.

**Disburden** · 09-16-2012, 06:00 AM

They are insanely hard, i would use 220 grit at first and move up.

**johna2231** · 09-18-2012, 07:37 PM

I have a #79. Any idea how it is as a finisher?? Thanks!

John

**Disburden** · 09-19-2012, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by johna2231

I have a #79. Any idea how it is as a finisher?? Thanks!

John

Does it say razor hone?

**Greybeard** · 09-19-2012, 08:09 PM

The only #79 I've seen was a razor hone. It was aluminum oxide instead of the more common silicon carbide and the binder was very soft compared to most barber's hones. It was marketed as a dry razor hone because the binder would degrade in water.