Thread: Question about Tam O shanter

funny enough mine looks just like that one in that ebay post. I paid around 50 dllrs for it still thinking if I want to sell it though.

US $ 50 is not a bad price.

Ask yourself: do I enjoy using this hone? Do I like the way it looks, feels, performs? Would I be happier with something else I could buy for $50? Or $136,50? Do I need the money?

Another highly subjective answer:

This is a hone I bought a couple of months ago. No labels, broken plain box (not Mauchline ware), chipped corner, cupped, lots of scratches, and dirty. The seller asked €20 and at first I put it back on the shelf. Just before leaving, I took another look, played with it in my hands for a bit and hesitatingly bought it.

Now it looks like this, and although I probably won't be using it a lot, I wouldn't sell it for $80, thrice the amount I paid:

How beautiful!!!
Can't wait to get mine!

How did you make the last picture?
Microscope or an extremely good camera?

Just took a look at mine under the 30x stereoscope and I would bet money that what you have there is a Dalmore Blue. Whatever it may be it is a very attractive stone.

Sorry Memorael!

Originally Posted by 0livia

How did you make the last picture?
Microscope or an extremely good camera?

Neither: with my very simple Casio Exilim EX-Z55. I used to use a Canon T60 with some very nice lenses, buy they got stolen. And digital picturing are easier and cheaper anyhow, so now I only use my pocket digicam.
The last picture is a real size cut-out from the one above it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Just took a look at mine under the 30x stereoscope and I would bet money that what you have there is a Dalmore Blue. Whatever it may be it is a very attractive stone.

Highly though I usually esteem what you usually write about hones, this time I think you may be mistaken - but I'm curious to know why you believe it's a DB.

It is my understanding that the Dalmore Blue is more sandstone-like. It doesn't display the typical small dark/light spotting of Tam O'Shanters (although long ago TOS and Water of Ayr were used indiscriminately for TOS and WoA).

Here are some other pics of this speckling:

TOS in a stamped Mauchline ware box:

Close-ups of the same:




A TOS as posted by Joe777 about a year ago:


A TOS/WoA combination hone:


With this label:

Originally Posted by Oldengaerde

Highly though I usually esteem what you usually write about hones, this time I think you may be mistaken - but I'm curious to know why you believe it's a DB.

It is my understanding that the Dalmore Blue is more sandstone-like. It doesn't display the typical small dark/light spotting of Tam O'Shanters (although long ago TOS and Water of Ayr were used indiscriminately for TOS and WoA).

Unfortunately I can't take a close up photo of my Dalmore Blue. Your hone has the swirl figure going through it as well as the speckles typical of a Tam. I have 3 Tams and of course all three have the speckles but none have the swirling figure typical of a Dalmore Blue. I looked at the Dalmore, as I said, under 30x with light and it has speckles. That is why I say I would bet money. Now I'm not so sure.

Edit; If I hadn't looked at it under light and magnification I would not see the speckles.