Barber Hones

Barber hones tend to be small, genrally hand-held palm/hand-sized synthetic hones, suitable for keeping a shaving edge on a razor. They tend to be hard hones, meaning they are difficult to lap flat if they are manufactured less then flat, or extremely worn, but wear very slowly. Some people say they never need to be lapped, and certainly many barbers have used such hones for great lengths of time without lapping. They often have a more coarse side, as well as a finer finishing side. The more fine finishing side often has a brand or name pressed into the surface at one end.

They tend to cut quite quickly, generally requiring less than 10 laps to refresh an edge that is otherwise servicable but is beginning to pull, as would be desireable for a barber who wished to spend more time working then maintaining a razor. If the edge is still not sharp enough, more laps may be applied. If an edge is not damaged one can maintain a shaving edge with a barber hone indefinately.