Thread: Testing "Apart" Barber Hone

Hey all,

Let me preface my post by explaining that I am completely new to the world of Barber Hones.

I've been testing a new-to-me "Apart" barber hone. I have yet to find any other pictures of an Apart hone other than Mike's Barber hone review thread(pictures later).

I grid lapped the hone with the following progression 180-220-440-600-1000-1500-2000-2500. I also "reconditioned" the hone by rubbing vasoline on it and allowing it to soak in.

I honed 6 or 7 razors, tape on(I might live to regret this), King 1K, Nani 3K/8K,12K then onto the BH(Barber Hone). A combination of vintage Sheffields and Solingens. I may have gotten a little carried away with circles and about 8-10 laps per razor on the barber hone with lather, but I wasn't too concerned about it after reading Mike's review about how many laps it took to actually deteriorate the edge. Every razor got 60 laps on leather. No felt or CrOx.

I noticed the following about the sides: After the razors came off the BH, the mirror finish had slight even scratching patterns. This had me concerned that my hone may *not* be an Apart hone and that the hone was less than a 12K(paranoia kept nawing at me). The stone is beautiful and very hard and smooth. Magnitudes smoother than a 2 Line Swaty. The hone came in an Apart box and was an exact fit and the interior of the box has identical color residue to the hone.

I have now tested the second razor. I wanted to reserve judgement until I'd shaved with at least two. The results were AMAZING! I've *never* felt anything this sharp or smooth. BBS after two passes. I did the 3rd ATG just out of sheer enjoyment. I am very pleased to say that despite the scratching patterns appearing, though ever so slight, the edge was improved beyone the 12K level. I think this is also further evidence that I do indeed have an Apart hone.

Now for the pics:




I can say I now regret honing tape on. I'm going to have to rehone a few tape off, just to be able to use this beauty during/immediately following my shave before putting the razor away.

To those who have Apart hones: Will you please post pics of your hone here!??

Many thanks.

Hey Simon great that this one works so fine and that you made this great BH experience, there is a lot more to "see" and "feel" in the Barber Hone Universe :-)

I like my Apart hone quite a bit as well. I will try to snap a shot this weekend.

Originally Posted by MattCB

I like my Apart hone quite a bit as well. I will try to snap a shot this weekend.

Please do. Does it even vaguely look like mine? This one was arm-wasting to lap.

Originally Posted by Siguy

.... This had me concerned that my hone may *not* be an Apart hone ...

I have a couple of Apart BHs and they are clearly stamped on the branded side with "Apart" with little miners hammers on either side of the lettering. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Yep. That's all I've seen in pictures as well. If it's not, I sure lucked out. This baby, she's fine! I gambled on a lot bid.

Oh, I have heard that there are others with differing Apart stones as well. I'd like to see more. If nothing else, I have a vintage Apart box and a beaut of a BH.

Hard to explain. The scariest sharp I've had to date. And a Naniwa 12K is *nothing* to sneeze at. Admitedly, I was very careful with all passes.

Just to be clear to all who read this thread. My hone does NOT have the Apart headstamp.

Alright, here are my pics. As stated before mine is the classic brick red color. A little beat up but no compliants. I have used it with water and with lather. Currently using it as a bridging stone between my Norton 8K and my Zulu. Great little BH and still able to be bought for a reasonable price.

One thing I learned, after you lap a BH, it will get smoother as you use it. I don't care if you polished it with ultra fine ground unobtainium oxide, it still seems to improve with use!

@ Siguy: My Apart looks just like your photos, except for a slightly different box. One of my top 2 or 3 barber hones.

For the life of me, then, I'm not sure what I have, but *will* tell you that this BH is a keeper and pushed a finer edge than anything I've seen to date(which isn't much). I was getting magnificent edges of my Nani 12K, CrOx alone. But this. This is something special to me.

I'll bet it's possible to bevel set, then slurry on the BH and bring it to finish. What do you think?

I just wonder what in the world I have here. The seller seemed relatively unknowledgable aside from "it appears to exactly fit the box"... He did mention that his favorite of the 3 in the lot purchase was the 2 Line.

Would it be bad form to start a thread over at R&S or should I just start a Hone ID thread here?