Thread: I Found It Over There

I say try it all. There is no saying from an old geological survey as to whether or not it will make a good hone. I have a new sandstone that I am excited about. Unfortunately I have to go to school and won't be able to cut it for five weeks. In the mean time everyone get those rocks home.

Has anyone set up a chart for natural hones, the type of stone, the geologic period, etc.?

I have not seen one but I would sure like to see one.

I'll bet the hive has this info. It might narrow the choice of hunting grounds a little...but maybe they don't need to be narrowed. It seems like I have read snippets from various members...
One earlier thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...s-geology.html

Seems like there's no end to viable hone material. I can't remember the specifics but I stumbled across a fellow that sells hones cut from stones he finds lying on the desert floor. Calls 'em 'Black Gila something or other' if I remember right. I was curious if they could live up to his claims, but for a gamble they were way out of my price range.

Narrowing the field might be good if you're looking for a large cache that can be mined for a few decades, but if you're just looking for a few for personal use Rezdog seems to have the right odea. Hike around and keep an eye out for rock that looks promising. If decent hone material can be found lying around deserts in the South West, I'm sure it can be found about anywhere else.

Keep in mind there are hones and good hones and really good hones. The really good ones are prized and rare and aren't just lying around somewhere. Good Hones are uncommon and can be found if you know where to look. Hones on the other hand are all over the place because pretty much anything can be a hone. Stick a blade under running water for a few lifetimes and you'll have a great edge.

Nothing wrong with being a prospector but most never hit paydirt. You have to do your homework and be lucky.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Nothing wrong with being a prospector but most never hit paydirt. You have to do your homework and be lucky.

The key is to have fun while your looking and learning. That way if you never find anything you still had fun. My wife enjoys going with me on my rock hunting hikes and it takes us to places that we have never been.

Exactly.

Finding something is a bonus. It should always be about the trip and having a grand time.

Truth be told, I never go out to just rock hound. I will steelhead fish, hunt deer, and get firewood at the same time. I am out convening with nature, and buck a few rock in the truck while I am at it. I think I got all done one time. Three steelhead, five deer, a load of firewood and some great rocks. Most of the time there is only time for three, that and the price of steelhead licenses is ridiculous. I have a giant stack of hone shaped rocks at home, I burry them occasionally to help with drainage under the flower beds. I am having a lot of fun with it.

This is a very interesting thread. I've often wondered if stones I see on my hikes could be good hones, but I lack the experience to identify good candidates. I also lack the resources at home to cut and flatten a raw rock.

One of my favourite hikes takes me past a place called 'razor hone creek'. I've never stopped to look around there, but whenever I see the signs for it, I want to stop and look around. My thought is that there must be a reason it was given that name.