Thread: Hone ID help

Saw two hones today at local antique shops. Both were advertised as knife sharpening stones. One was $8 and the other was $58.00. But no information on either. I took pics to share hoping someone here might have seen something like this, and could help identify. The smaller one smelled of oil, and has a chip in it. Both seemed to be of the same rock...at least to me. I thought about dropping 8.00 on the small one but thought I'd wait to see if anyone has any input. Thanks in advance.

If that one pictured resting on a glass shelf (lower one) is a Thuringian, it would be a great deal for $58. Difficult to peg though without some better close-up shots.

THanks. I'll see about going back for better pics.

Originally Posted by Speedster

If that one pictured resting on a glass shelf (lower one) is a Thuringian, it would be a great deal for $58. Difficult to peg though without some better close-up shots.

Neither of them are thuringian. I can't give you a 100% positive identification until I see them clean. the small one is to dirty but the one in the glass case is most likely a Washita.

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A washita- did a Google image and that looks similar.

See if they will let you scrape a bid off the side with a knife tip. The color and softness may give you a hint. Tell them if you damage it, you will buy it, you won’t.

The large one could be an Ark or an Indian stone.

As they are, it is impossible to tell. I have bought many a stone thinking it was something else, only to be disappointed or pleasantly surprised.

Check out this post on a recent purchase, post no. 23. (New arrivals - new questions)

So I decided to pick up the smaller of the two stones. Cleaned it up with purple power and then ran it through the dishwasher. I'm not sure what kind of stone this is, so if anybody has any thoughts I would appreciate it. Especially how I might go about removing The large chip on the one side and finally getting it flat. I would think some heavy grit sand paper to do the heavy lifting and, followed by 320 wet dry. Perhaps this isn't a stone that is suitable for straight razors. i'm not really sure… Thanks in advance.

It looks like a carborundum oxide stone to me. Can you post some pics of the sides? Also pics in sunlight and with water on the stone often help!

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I agree with aaron1234. And I think the large one is a washita. That could also be a very fine hone. I had a few years back, that where translucent. Fine hones, thou very slow.


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Can you take some close-up photos of the sides?

Some oven cleaner from the Dollar store, then soaking in Simple Green or Awesome, degreaser will clean it further, may take a few days.

If it is an Ark or hard stone, you will need lose Silicone Carbide to flatten, there are many good post on doing so in the Ark threads.

The pattern is reminiscent of a Dalamore or possibly a Hindostane, but without a cleanup, very hard to tell.

A sheet of 80 wet and dry might show more, that somebody took the time to make a box for it, is a good indication that they prized the stone, usually a good sign.