Thread: newbie: identify and tell me how much it's worth

From the stamp and the hone's appearance, I think it's an Arkansas stone, not a coticule.

And what's the difference? The writing is german and it does look like a coticule (from the pics, I haven been able to find too many arkansas stone pics).

As far as I know, arkansas stones do not come in combo stones, and all the pictures below the stamp appear to be a Belgian combo stone!

Okay, I'm probably wrong. I have been under the impression that natural combo Arkansas hone do exist.

In answer to the question of "is it blue belgian or is it slate?" The stamp translates to "natural grindstone." It is not slate as it is clearly not glued. The two sides are naturally fused together and represent two adjoining veins of rock.

As to the blue belgian issue, the hallmark for identification is to make a slurry. If the slurry is purple, then it's a blue.

Originally Posted by napoleon

The hone is about 5X12cm.

Originally Posted by JMS

Both the razor and the coticule could easily go for 83 each on their own!

Looks like mark was spot on on the hone. These can actually be obtained these days (still produced in Ardennes), although not too often and the price point would be about $80.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Okay, I'm probably wrong. I have been under the impression that natural combo Arkansas hone do exist.

In answer to the question of "is it blue belgian or is it slate?" The stamp translates to "natural grindstone." It is not slate as it is clearly not glued. The two sides are naturally fused together and represent two adjoining veins of rock.

As to the blue belgian issue, the hallmark for identification is to make a slurry. If the slurry is purple, then it's a blue.

The natural Arkansas combos do exist.

I have one stone that is either Was-hita or Soft Arkansas that also makes a purple slurry. Looks just like the slurry from my Belgians. It has a very fine surface and cuts well. It came in a Smith's knife sharpening kit that I bought 20-30 yrs ago with a small white hard arkansas and a bottle of oil.

Back to the topic. From the pictures, that stone looks like most of the Belgian combos.

I lapped it and the slurry was purple. So I guess its a belgian.