I frequent a local auction house. They do on-line also.
The good thing is that I can view the stuff before bidding on-line.
I do suggest a second look before deciding an old crusty hone is not worth the effort. It looked like a used oil stone of fine grit. I could not see the labels originally. The stone felt smooth to a finger nail scrape.
Auction house photo:
Attachment 242588
The second big one I have found in the wild...almost 10 inches and a Light green on the end label.
Attachment 242587
The labels were hidden and protected inside the soft wood box which was hand made; as you can see by the wood auger marks in the box.
I removed the stone by letting it set under running hot water for a few minutes; then I tapped the box, upside down, alternating each end of the wood against the sink edge, with the stone free of the sink, until the stone worked its way out of the box. I had the other hand below the box to catch the rock upon its exit.
How much did I pay...We don't give estimates here...:deal:
Good hunting!!
~Richard
PS this is just one way to check out a stone that you can hold in your hand. And one way to get the stone out of a base/box.
