Thread: Gallery of old, worn out “charity” Hones

Through all the years I have been using and collecting hones and sharpening stones, I acquired some stones that have already been widely used in generations of different craftsmanship’s, hollow-grinders and barbers or private usage. Some of them could still be flattened and used for honing razors or sharpening knifes.
But on some I simply respect their age and the work they have done in their lifetime and give them charity. Even if they might not be useful any more I still love to look at them, take them in my hands and reflect on their older days, when they had been widely used and may have been a real treasure for their whilom users.

So here are a few of them – in the gallery of my charity hones.



Traditionally coticules have been commonly used by carpenters and shoemakers in Germany, thuringians are found from barbers and grinders. Artificial whetstones from all kind of useage.

Maybe most interesting are the heavy worn out translucent Arkansas hones which are all from different old grinders I have visited in the past years.



Thousands of knifes and razors have been on these stones!


Post some of your charity hones!

I must say, those are beautiful objects. To imagine the handling and concentration bestowed upon each, not to mention the plethora of tools applied.

Remarkable collection, in good hands!

They belong in a museum, and they are! Very nice, thanks for sharing Peter..
Mike

My first Norton 4/8.... it has sentimental value.

Originally Posted by hatzicho

[FONT=&]Maybe most interesting are the heavy worn out translucent Arkansas hones which are all from different old grinders I have visited in the past years.

This one is a good example of only using the edge of the hone.

Your encouraging words and likes give me hope!
So let's start an appeal:
Don't be cruel!

Give old hones a home!

I have a small hone collection in which a few have been well worn on one side but have been able to lap the other to make usable again.

The only one that may fit into this thread is this one.

When I hold it in my hands I wonder what stories it would tell if it could talk.

That almost looks like it may have been cut from a grindstone or small millstone - possibly a broken one? Very interesting!

Hey Peter! Nice topic and really interesting too see how much worn down these stone are! A lot of history they might share if the could talk a word ;-)

Only got two or three really worn out ones, one is a TAM which seem to have been used very well...







There is often a beauty under all that dirtyness....

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

That almost looks like it may have been cut from a grindstone or small millstone - possibly a broken one? Very interesting!

I had never measured it until now. Judging by the curve the mother stone would have been roughly around 12"/30 cm in diameter.

A retired old natural combo. It has 1/4" dish in the middle.