Do not educate Ebay sellers

Here's a classic example why you shouldn't inform Ebay sellers what they have, 150588104450. This Coticule/BBW is listed in a category you usually only find coarse stones, it would have gone for a low price I'm sure.

Here comes the question:

Q: hi ,is this stone a coticule BBW,or is this the man made stone they started making some years ago,

A: Hi, Good and bad news I am afraid looked into this in more detailed and realised this is a Coticule and BBW sharpening stone! Just getting this verified by a friend who knows an old school expert! Hence I am ending the auction, but will be re-listing shortly when full details confirmed. Regards, Ian.

When it comes to hone auctions I try to never tell sellers what they have or that I will use it for razors. A seller that sold a hone is likely to sell more. Hones with more accurate descriptions and listed in a barber/razor category will cost more money.

Funnily enough, last week I just happened to click on a listing for a "Old Antique Razor"

There was only 2 photos, 1st was a photo showing the complete razor. A plain looking square point in good but dirty condition.
2nd photo of the stamp on the shank of 2 Men...Im sure most of you can work out what it was!

If this had been listed under its correct name it would have sold for at least double what it went for (£30)

Thankfully there are sellers who just dont know what they have:)

It's an old story. A few years ago many of the DDs I have I got for a song because the seller didn't list it as a DD but rather as a Bresnick and Folks weren't familiar with the name so auctions went under the Radar. It's another reason why I personally don't like mentioning live auctions on a forum.

completly agree, i snatched a barber hone from an antique store by playing the( i dont know if its in goon enough shape with that nick in the side to use or weath it will be a paper weight, and i dont know what grit it is so i will risk it and give you 10$ ) i got a 40$ hone for 10 bucks .

so i agree with not telling people what they have untill after its in your hands.

That's how I got my Barber's Delight Y/G Escher. The listing was for 2 rusty razors of unknown brand. In the background the Escher was barely visible. The listing said something like: razors sold with an old sharpening stone.

Their ignorance is my bliss!