Thread: Dragons Tongue Hone anyone?

mhopper, your story is very inspiring. Thanks for being here.

mhopper, thank you indeed. I am awed by your determination...I'm humbled, and I am truly glad that I am part of the same forum.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and the very kind words.

Our pleasure Sir

What a fascinating thread, this has opened up a new world for me of British hones that Id never even dreamed of! Thank you as well mhopper for your review of the the Dragons Tongue hone, nice to know its working well for you, I wonder if this is just a clean piece of slate, as that mine isnt known historically as a source of hone material as far as I can tell? I will probably have to get one for myself anyway The difficulty must be in identifying slates that will work well as hones.

Now, do any of you hone collectors have known samples of Llyn Idwal hone stone, Snowdon cutlers greenstone or Welsh clearing stone that you could post photos of? I have walked in these areas many many times and had no clue I was passing hone qurries but Id love to go and have a look at the sources of these apparently excellent 19thC hones.

+1, appreciate the review of the Dragon's Tongue hone. That raging HAD is not yet slaked, so I may have to add that rock to my collection.

I also skip the HHT and TNT. The tests rarely work for me, and in any case I would much rather know how the blade feels against my face and neck.

Welcome aboard!

The only other native hone from your neck of the woods that I am aware of is the Charnley Forest. This is of course an antique now. I managed to acquire one from a UK antique dealer but it is too slow cutting for my tastes.

There is also the Scottish Tam O'Shanter and the Dalmore Blue. These may still be mined on a limited basis. I'm not sure. They are more suited to honing razors and some people like them very much. I have a set of them and I am still using them once in awhile but I haven't really gotten to know them well enough yet.

Then there is the Water Of Ayr, also a Scots hone and one that I am actively seeking in a 6x2 or 8x2" size.

If anyone orders the DT from Ingo-Jones be aware that it may take some time to receive it. Mine took about 6 weeks from the time I ordered it until it came to my door. I am in the USA so if you are in UK perhaps it won't be as long. I have the impression that they process the hones as the orders are received rather then keeping a large stock readily at hand.