Thread: high value sharpening stone

When I see auctions like this, I feel a vague sense of comfort about the money I spend hunting hones. Knowing others are this crazy, somehow makes me feel a bit less crazy myself.

Sham, if I ever stumble upon an old Norton hone for cheap money in my travels, I promise, it's yours.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

For axe guys, particularly in Australia, it is the equivalent of an Escher yellow/green or a really large vintage natural Belgian coticule to a razor honer. I don't know what it does that a current synthetic wouldn't do but apparently it has qualities, real or imagined, that surpass other stones for those axe guys.

I've often seen axemen (and axewomen) using these black & tan hones to sharpen their axes before woodcutting races. Most axemen consider these Norton hones the best to get a "razor edge" on their axes.

They take their sport seriously and are prepared to spend big to buy one of these vintage Nortons when they find one for sale.

And when they forget their razor..........