Thread: Help identifying hone

So I picked up a small hone the other day at an antique market, and just wanted to see if I could get a little more info, or an idea of what I can use it for. I can't find my battery charger for my camera right now so I'll post pics later, but basically it's about 5"x2"x5/8", and a dark green/greyish colour. It's got no box or label or markings, and came with a small stone that's like a wedge and is the same material. As best as I can tell by comparison, it is much finer than my Norton 8k stone, and it feels finer than my Swaty but is difficult to judge. Any idea on what I can look at to compare would be great. I realize without pics it's tough to say but I'll have them up soon. I'm not too concerned about if it's valuable, I paid $5, just want to know so o know where to use it when honing.

Sounds like it could be many things, including a Thurry. Pics will be helpful.

Yep, pics are good! From the dimensions you give it could also be a barber hone, but pics will help give a definative answer.

Here are the pics, sorry for the delay. Its the one on the left of course, and thats a Franz Swaty on the right to give you guys something to compare to. One side is lapped on each stone, so i showed both sides.

It looks like the hone is some kind of combo of two different stones, one on each side. Or is that just how it looks in the photos you took?

It doesn't look at all like a coti/BBW combo stone, but could it be some kind of combo oilstone? I don't think that Arkansas stones come as combo stones, but maybe someone here knows better.

Also, it really looks like some kind of natural stone, but maybe that is just how it looks in the photos. Do you think it looks natural or man-made in person? Thanks.

photos confusing.
i think it is only 1 color but what color it is God knows.
there is a lot finer barber hones out there. could be 1 of them.gl

perhaps it is one of the carborundum hones...

If it is a natural hone it can sometimes be helpful to
inspect a photograph of the hone when it is wet to see
if it has any natural texture.

More importantly how does it compare with your Swaty
and other hones.

Originally Posted by burns420

So I picked up a small hone the other day
.....
I paid $5, just want to know so o know where to use it when honing.

One thought on "where to use it when honing" is to
hone a small bar of mild steel with it and then
hone that same bit of steel on a known hone and
inspect the surface. If it polishes fine enough
that a #2 pencil does not write on the steel it it might
prove to be good finishing hone. Compare with
a light run on you Swaty or other known hone to see which
polishes better or quicker.

Since it has no special marking the best strategy is to
test it, compare and contrast...

Sorry guys for the confusing pics. It is one color throughout, green. Its just looks like 2 colors since one side has been flattened and one is the way it came and has some dirt and such from over the years built up on it. It is definitely finer than the swaty, And I would guess it to be natural, based on the fact that there are small variances in the color in it, even beneath the surface after I lapped it. I dont know o any proper way to check if its a natural stone though.

Originally Posted by burns420

Sorry guys for the confusing pics. It is one color throughout, green. Its just looks like 2 colors since one side has been flattened and one is the way it came and has some dirt and such from over the years built up on it. It is definitely finer than the swaty, And I would guess it to be natural, based on the fact that there are small variances in the color in it, even beneath the surface after I lapped it. I dont know o any proper way to check if its a natural stone though.

If it is finer than the Swaty gosh it must be too fine to
use so I am tempted to offer you double your money
to take it off your hands. But sadly the rules here
do not let me --

Use it in good health.