Thread: Mystery Hone ID Pointers

So as I browse antique stores, there are a lot of mystery hones, most or which are Arkansas hones/oil stones. What are some characteristics to look for in Charnleys/Eschers/Thuringens? I know every stone is different and what not, but I'm fairly certain I can pick out coticule, and Eschers if they have the characteristic box/colour. But any advice for the other special finishers?
Thanks!

I look for hard smoot stones, that are heavy for their size. I haven't come across any good ones yet, but I'm hopefull

How do I know hard and smooth? Cus quite frankly, I think once you get below about 500 grit its impossible for ordinary people to perceive grit differences. And hard... well, I get I could take some stuff with to Moes test it, a nail, bit of glass, etc.

But density is a telling factor? Interesting...

I think it takes a bit of personal practice playing with these rocks till you start to get a feel for what they may be capable of.

Take a few chances when the price it right, clean em up and see what your "guestamate" was like. As you go along you will start to get a feel as to what a stone my be capable of.

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

I think it takes a bit of personal practice playing with these rocks till you start to get a feel for what they may be capable of.

Take a few chances when the price it right, clean em up and see what your "guestamate" was like. As you go along you will start to get a feel as to what a stone my be capable of.

I couldn't agree more, you have to actually run your fingers across some of these hones to really understand the differences.

Personally, when I am looking at an unknown hone, the first thing I do is to run my thumbnail across the surface as if I were stropping the nail.....the feel of a finer grit hone should feel something like frosted glass, a bit of resistance there but not much. But to tell you the truth, actually picking one up, handling it, and maybe sharpening with it is the only true way to get acquainted with a particular stone so that you will recognize it next time.

You might consider going to the next gun, knife, or razor show near you, there are sometimes people there with stones to demo...

I've found Arkansas stones, Thuringians and Coticules in wooden boxes. However, IME I have never seen a Thuringian or Coticule glued to a wooden box or found it a crude very rudimentary box. I've seen many Arkansas and other oil stones housed in very crude hewn wooden boxes.

Most old Arkansas stones are.....oily and smell like old oil or kerosene. Even an old oil soaked translucent is not as "smooth" to the touch as a Thuringian or Coticule. Granted, virtually all vintage stones have layers of crud and grime on them making for greater difficultly to feel what the actual lapped surface would be like.

Mainly I look for the oil stink and I stay away from those as a general rule.

It's practice and hands on experience as well. Once you find a grimy Thuringian, memorize what it looked and felt like before you brought it home and lapped it, the image sticks with you.

Incidentally, I actually get more enjoyment out of finding vintage stones of good quality than I do razors.

Chris L

I look for colour. I don't think it's QUITE a rule but damn near every single Charnley I've seen (including my own) has been a bout.

I'm the same as you though, I'd love to know what a Water of Ayr (for example) looks like.

I've done pretty well from hone finds, a nice BBW and a charnley forest, and an Arkansas which although it's nothing special - it is still a nice stone.

The reason I ask is that I am looking for hones, and while I try stuff out I'm gonna be buying/reselling a lot! Also, antique dealers haven't cottoned on to hones yet... but razors are now way over priced.

Originally Posted by khaos

The reason I ask is that I am looking for hones, and while I try stuff out I'm gonna be buying/reselling a lot! Also, antique dealers haven't cottoned on to hones yet... but razors are now way over priced.

You're absolutely right about dealers not catching on to the value of stones yet. Vintage oilstones are so prevalent, natural or manufactured (which are next to worthless in value), I think dealers just assume the coticules, thuringians, etc are in the same category. I've found some celebratory deals on stones at antique shops. Thrilling.

Chris L

Is there a thread or anything in the wiki with pictures and maybe a small description of all the common vintage hones?

It would be so useful for people who keep an eye out for them.