Thread: What hones for the pilgrims ?

Surely the colonists brought with them at least some sharpening equipment to maintain axes, knives chisels etc., and I imagine every ship would also have some too.
Maybe sandstone for the coarse work and english slate for the finer. Apparently coticule was known from Roman times...

What I'm wondering is - Did they shave? and if so what would their razor look like and how would they hone it ? Pictures show a mix of beards and clean shaven- I wonder how accurate though. Maybe a historian will know.

They used a Plymouth Rock,,,,,

Originally Posted by KenG

Surely the colonists brought with them at least some sharpening equipment to maintain axes, knives chisels etc., and I imagine every ship would also have some too.
Maybe sandstone for the coarse work and english slate for the finer. Apparently coticule was known from Roman times...

What I'm wondering is - Did they shave? and if so what would their razor look like and how would they hone it ? Pictures show a mix of beards and clean shaven- I wonder how accurate though. Maybe a historian will know.

First of all, coticule was known from the Roman times because it means "slipstone", it does not refer to a specific type of stone but to a specific shape of stone, or simply what we today call a "sharpening stone". Sandstones were common on these times. As well as the use of coarse sand or emery on a piece of wood, acting as a base that was working just like a sharpening stone. For finer edges, there were more than a few choices, since men especially had beards from time immemorial, although the "everybody should regularly shave" thing is a recent one, after WWII. But on woodworking tools, there were more than a few choices for finer honing, and finding a fine stone is not something difficult, every area has its type. Slow, or not super fine maybe, but it's not hard to find something good, assuming you are not buying and bringing it from the other side.

Since the first edged tools existed there were materials to keep them sharp. Chipping and flaking were the first methods. I imagine over time they started using rocks and then more specialized rocks as the tools become more sophisticated.

I would bet they brought what was being used at the time, with them. Until they got to Arkansas :<0)
Surely they came with skills and the tools they needed to perform them.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I would bet they brought what was being used at the time, with them. Until they got to Arkansas :<0)
Surely they came with skills and the tools they needed to perform them.

Agreed. My speculation is the same, from the subjective standpoint that if I was to go infiltrate a 'new world' I'd bring my Kiita. ...Wonder what NASA's stance is on that. ...Wonder how rocks on other rocks around the verse are... Let's start a fund to return NASA's budget for the single mission: To find the best sharpening stones in the multiverse.

Not a problem at NASA, H.A.D is rampant … When they left the moon, what did they bring back?

Moon Rocks.

John, you’re rubbing off on me, man…

Originally Posted by Vasilis

assuming you are not buying and bringing it from the other side.

Since old sailing ships were ballasted with stones, no reason not to bring a few choice "ballast" rocks.

Originally Posted by jnats

Agreed. My speculation is the same, from the subjective standpoint that if I was to go infiltrate a 'new world' I'd bring my Kiita. ...Wonder what NASA's stance is on that. ...Wonder how rocks on other rocks around the verse are... Let's start a fund to return NASA's budget for the single mission: To find the best sharpening stones in the multiverse.

Since their plan for Mars is a one way trip, perhaps its best if Astronauts take up SR shaving. It's going to be hell to get more cartridges!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

They used a Plymouth Rock,,,,,

John, you're stealing material from Fozzie Bear.