Thread: Vintage Hones

Originally Posted by A_S

Going back to the 1800's Belgium was exporting hones from many areas, including but not limited to: Ambleve, Bihain, Herbeumont, Lierreux, Namur, Recht, Salm-Chateau, Spa and Vielsalm.

Those are all locations where Coticule traders resided. Most of them are right in the middle of the Vielsalm area (Vielsalm, Lierneux, Bihain, Salm-Chateau), where the Coticule rock is found (in a geological formation called the Stavelot Massive) But Spa, Namur and Herbeumont are just locations of export companies. Amel (Amblève) and Recht are in the neighborhood of Vielsalm. But there's no Coticule in the underground of any of those places other than the Vielsalm area. Not according to the geological maps I've seen. And neither have I ever read a single source that mentioned any Coticule mining activity in another area than the Vielsalm vicinity.

There has bee confusion about this. Coticules have been exported all over the world. Sometimes they were rebranded by large wholesalers in foreign countries. There even exists a source that (mistakingly) locates the Coticule mines in the south east of Germany, probably because a large reseller was located there.

But it would come as a complete and totally unexpected surprise to me, if someone came up with proof of any Coticule mining activity at another location than the Vielsalm area.
That of course doesn't deny that a company located at Namur couldn't be selling highly regarded Coticule hones.

Best regards,
Bart.

At last count, I've collected 18 coticules. I am certain that 4 were recently mined, and I'm pretty sure that 10 are "vintage" (mined years ago). The rest I'm not sure.

I love all of them, they're coticules! But 3 out of the 4 recent ones are noticeably good, one is the best I've used. Only 3 out of 10 vintage are noticeably good, with one of the 10 the worst I've used. This is after lapping all of them at least a bit, none were used "as-is".

This isn't a scientific sample, and in fairness, the new ones were hand picked by trusted sellers for use with razors. But for me, vintage coticules aren't predictably better hones. I admit they are often thicker and more interesting, but not better hones.

I think buying from knowledgeable sellers is a far better predictor of hone quality in general.

Originally Posted by Bart

Those are all locations where Coticule traders resided. Most of them are right in the middle of the Vielsalm area (Vielsalm, Lierneux, Bihain, Salm-Chateau), where the Coticule rock is found (in a geological formation called the Stavelot Massive) But Spa, Namur and Herbeumont are just locations of export companies. Amel (Amblève) and Recht are in the neighborhood of Vielsalm. But there's no Coticule in the underground of any of those places other than the Vielsalm area. Not according to the geological maps I've seen. And neither have I ever read a single source that mentioned any Coticule mining activity in another area than the Vielsalm vicinity.

There has bee confusion about this. Coticules have been exported all over the world. Sometimes they were rebranded by large wholesalers in foreign countries. There even exists a source that (mistakingly) locates the Coticule mines in the south east of Germany, probably because a large reseller was located there.

But it would come as a complete and totally unexpected surprise to me, if someone came up with proof of any Coticule mining activity at another location than the Vielsalm area.
That of course doesn't deny that a company located at Namur couldn't be selling highly regarded Coticule hones.

Best regards,
Bart.

All of the references I have treat these areas as sources where the stones were found, as opposed to the location of manufacturers/ wholesalers. I'm willing to defer to your knowledge here, but the following are some of the sources I have found. " The Mineral Institute of the British Empire & Foreign Countries- Abrasives," published in 1929 specifies that razor hone quarries were found in Lierreux, Sart, Bihain and Recht. It also mentions that there a number of quarries to be found in Vielsalm, but doesn't specify how many.

The Geologie de Belgique specifies Stavelot and Salm-Chateau as the locations where hones are found.

Herbeumont is mentioned as containing extensive beds in the Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute. Although I'm beginning to have doubts that the coticule I have which was represented as coming from this area is genuine, as looking back over my e-mail correspondence with the seller, he didn't mention Herbeumont stones until I asked, when he miraculously remembered having one.

Rene d' Hauy mentions hones found in Liege, and Brongniart goes on to specify Namur. Also, one of the earliest mineralogies (either by Kidd or Kirwan, can't remember which) specifies Namur as being the source of particularly superior honestones. Blum specifies Ottrez and Bihain. Zirkel mentions Petit Sart.

Can't remember any references off hand, but the slate quarries at Ambleve are mentioned as having a very long history of producing razor hones. Spa is mentioned as having a number of quarries producing hones in a Universal Gazetteer.

Kindest regards,
Alex

Originally Posted by A_S

All of the references I have treat these areas as sources where the stones were found, as opposed to the location of manufacturers/ wholesalers. I'm willing to defer to your knowledge here, but the following are some of the sources I have found. " The Mineral Institute of the British Empire & Foreign Countries- Abrasives," published in 1929 specifies that razor hone quarries were found in Lierreux, Sart, Bihain and Recht. It also mentions that there a number of quarries to be found in Vielsalm, but doesn't specify how many.

The Geologie de Belgique specifies Stavelot and Salm-Chateau as the locations where hones are found.

Herbeumont is mentioned as containing extensive beds in the Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute. Although I'm beginning to have doubts that the coticule I have which was represented as coming from this area is genuine, as looking back over my e-mail correspondence with the seller, he didn't mention Herbeumont stones until I asked, when he miraculously remembered having one.

Rene d' Hauy mentions hones found in Liege, and Brongniart goes on to specify Namur. Also, one of the earliest mineralogies (either by Kidd or Kirwan, can't remember which) specifies Namur as being the source of particularly superior honestones. Blum specifies Ottrez and Bihain. Zirkel mentions Petit Sart.

Can't remember any references off hand, but the slate quarries at Ambleve are mentioned as having a very long history of producing razor hones. Spa is mentioned as having a number of quarries producing hones in a Universal Gazetteer.

Kindest regards,
Alex

Lierreux, Sart, Bihain, Recht, Vielsalm, Stavelot, Petit Sart, Ottré are all located in the area where Coticule rock was mined. Petit Sart is the place where Ardennes Coticule operates. They also exploit a mine at Regné.
Liège is the nearest big city, but too far away to have any Coticule in the underground. (it's another geological region). So is Namur. Herbeumont is a lovely little village. If you ever visit Belgium, do spend some time over there. (While you're at it, pass by Chassepierre and St.-Cécile as well), but you won't find any Coticule there.

Kind regards,
Bart.

Also keep in mind often times when you have some mining operation especially a small one operated by a person or family they don't want poachers and will give innacurate info so if you go and try and find a specific mine unless the locals put you right you may never find it.

Here's a link to the mineralogy I mentioned that talks about hones from Namur. It's Kidd's Outlines of Mineralogy and was published in 1809. Outlines of mineralogy - Google Books

Kindest regards,
Alex