Thread: Caught in the wild, Today's finds.

Made the rounds of Antique stores/Flea Markets/ garage sales in two states today, feel like I really scored. All the stones below as well as the Henckles for a few bucks, has some rust spots but they should clean up just fine.

Found my first labeled Esher, or at least I hope we can all agree that what little is left of the label it 'should' be an Esher, it is super smooth compared to most of my labeled and unlabeled Thuri's Not bad for $6



Next I offer up for your viewing pleasure a slate backed Cuticle, I probably paid a little too much for it, compared to what I usually pay at flea markets, but it is in great condition and I could not walk away and risk someone getting who didn't know what it was and losing it forever. It is also fairly large at 2x7 (or close to 2) one thing I was impressed about it was it has a hard patina and completely flat, no dishing at all so it will last a long time. Paid $60.00 I purchased it to flip, but I might keep this one and sell my natural combo I picked up last week for $2 (photo at bottom of post)


Next is Tom O' Shanter, nice large stone but rough, I will have to spend some time on cleaning it up, got it and a Washita both for $5



Here is the natural combo Coticule I found last week, Now to decide which of the two I will keep.. I like the natural combo but I think the slate backed one is harder and smoother, I will know more later when I get home and clean them up and do some testing.

Nice scores!!!

That slate backed one might be a synth. I have several....they're crazy hard and finish very well. Some people call them man made cotis. Not sure what the actual name is.

We spent all day at the Nashville flea market and the only thing I found was some rope, so nice haul!

Originally Posted by Dcaddo1

Nice scores!!!

That slate backed one might be a synth. I have several....they're crazy hard and finish very well. Some people call them man made cotis. Not sure what the actual name is.

We spent all day at the Nashville flea market and the only thing I found was some rope, so nice haul!

I am 100% positive it is a natural vintage Coti' I have owned dozens of them over the years and know my stones. The patina is what is causing it to feel much harder, probably has not seen the daylight in who knows how long, I am still traveling right now so can't lap it, once I get home I should get a feel for its true hardness.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I have had one of the synthetic cuticles in the past, I will hold my judgement until I get home and lap it, it looks like natural streaks here in the car in bright light, Lucky the wife is driving.

Very nice finds!' Congratulations!!

Originally Posted by sidmind

I am 100% positive it is a natural vintage Coti' I have owned dozens of them over the years and know my stones. The patina is what is causing it to feel much harder, probably has not seen the daylight in who knows how long, I am still traveling right now so can't lap it, once I get home I should get a feel for its true hardness.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I have had one of the synthetic cuticles in the past, I will hold my judgement until I get home and lap it, it looks like natural streaks here in the car in bright light, Lucky the wife is driving.

Cool. Fingers crossed for you that it's a natural!

After lapping, testing, and reading I have determined as DCaddo suggestions that it is a Synthetic Coticule, and not a bad one at all. It is much harder than a natural Coti' and cuts slower but one thing is for sure is that it is much much finer than any natural I own. Probably somewhere above 12k and made of garnet like the natural. Overall I am very pleased it ended up not being another natural coti, anyone can get those.



Here is a close up, the natural combo on the right.


Here is a collection of my current Thuri's, - German water hones, etc. The one I just got today is on the far left. The really long skinny one is the finest of the entire bunch, still not sure exactly what it is but for a natural its probably +15k or much higher, I find it interesting that it is the same color as this one from today as you can see in the photo.

All of these are flea market finds, I never buy retail on vintage anything, too many of them to be had for a few bucks each.

Today's flea market turned up another yellow cream Cuticle. this one BBW glued back 1.2x6" not bad for $4, they wanted 5 but I felt the urge to get it for less. I also checked it with a drop of acid to make sure it did not react,so at least I know it is a natural stone

Real nice finds. I have one of those synthetic Coticules too, they make for a real nice finisher.

I am curious, is your wife your co-conspirator? If so she may be your greatest all time find. Nice finds and keep it up but stay out of my state.

Alex

Yeah i am amazed at the haul of nice hones in Oklahoma. Remind me to swing by your neck of the woods of you haven't bought every piece already!