Hindostan Whetstones from the same rock

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08-29-2010, 04:28 PM
naifu

Hindostan Whetstones from the same rock

I thought I would post a few photos of the Hindostan whetstones I've been working on the past few weeks. My friend's father worked in one of the quarries that produced scythe stones years ago, and he turned my interest into an adventure, and I have begun making my own stones.

I had a gentleman with long experience cutting stone do the slab work on two rocks, and I am flattening and lapping by hand. The rocks were the ironstone form of Hindostan which should be the finest grain of the different varieties.

Here are stones wet down to help find problems with lapping.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/...82cea16c_b.jpg

Lapping, lapping, and more lapping....and more lapping.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/...c32ba76c_b.jpg

This looks like a combo-stone, with one side grey and the other side orange. I keep telling myself that iron oxide is what red rouge or jeweler's rouge is made from as I invest hours in preparing the orange stones. As long as I insist on no cracks or voids I think they will make fine finish stones, but only time will tell.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/...33d8eccb_b.jpg

Another stone with the orange banding.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/...c7a3f174_b.jpg

Layers. Lots of layers.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/...77bc2894_b.jpg

More???? And more work????

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/...8f9ee5d8_b.jpg

Since these are the only Hindostan stones I've ever handled I don't know how they compare to what was sold commercially years ago, but I hope to have good useable stones when I am done.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/indiana...7624827314878/
08-29-2010, 04:36 PM
hi_bud_gl

wow nice ones.
08-29-2010, 06:09 PM
rostfrei

Lot of work. Looking good.
08-30-2010, 01:20 AM
joke1176

This is looking very interesting.
08-30-2010, 01:46 AM
nun2sharp

Sham, Have you sent him a PM yet? Lets get one of these and see what it does!
08-30-2010, 10:49 AM
joke1176

Quote:

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Sham, Have you sent him a PM yet? Lets get one of these and see what it does!

Yeah, you guys should....and then you should invite me over again. I will bring the steaks! :)
08-30-2010, 12:43 PM
MODINE

Good looking stones you have there naifu. You have peaked our interest. Steaks sound good to me Joe, another get together shaping up?
MIke:)
08-30-2010, 01:32 PM
ScottGoodman

Good looking stones, I would love to get myhands on one...
08-30-2010, 09:30 PM
adrspach

It is very exciting to make a new mystery hone out of a piece of rock isn't it? Good job and grat stones.
08-30-2010, 10:36 PM
ScottGoodman

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Good looking stones, I would love to get myhands on one...

This may just happen!!
08-30-2010, 11:20 PM
nun2sharp

Quote:

Originally Posted by joke1176

Yeah, you guys should....and then you should invite me over again. I will bring the steaks! :)

Just dont bring any damned Vodka!

BTW It looks as if this is going to happen, I recvd a PM! Hoooah!
08-31-2010, 03:44 AM
Hawkeye5

These stones do have a known history. It is great to see someone with the interest to bring them back from the dead.

If your going to sell a few, put me on the list.

Some research:

The best grade of Hindostan is named "Washita". Stone has a creamy white color. Most are light to bluish-gray and softer than the Washita. Some are called Orange Stone because of an orange tint. There was also a red stone that was not used for whetstones but was made into decorative items.

Pike had contracted for the entire output of the Hindostan quarries, of which I've been able to identify four that were operating in the 1880's:

Chaillaux's in Huron, Braxton's in Paoli, Moore's in French Lick, and Jackman's in Roland.
08-31-2010, 02:46 PM
naifu

Hindostan Whetstone Advertisement

It is interesting how few of these stones survived until today, considering how many were produced until the 1950's.

Here is an ad from 1912. The writing around around the Pike logo reads "Export Extra Quality Hindostanstone", and the writing on the left "A fine cutting natural stone for Carpenter's and Mechanic's tools. Use with water for a quick edge. Use with oil for a fine edge". Translation into German on the right side.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/...0f806e0a_b.jpg

Ok that about does it for my walk down memory lane today. I'm just glad there are people with interest and a forum devoted to stones and hones. History like this falls on deaf ears in most other places.
08-31-2010, 03:28 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

These stones do have a known history. It is great to see someone with the interest to bring them back from the dead.

If your going to sell a few, put me on the list.

Gentlemen, if there is any talk of buying and selling please confine it to PM. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
08-31-2010, 05:11 PM
Hawkeye5

My fault, sorry.:gaah:
08-31-2010, 11:20 PM
ScottGoodman

I would love to see what that label says...
09-02-2010, 02:34 AM
naifu

This is about as good as I can get it:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/...54e14d85_b.jpg

This info. is the reason I searched out the "ironstone" form of Hindostan:

The Indiana Stone and Building Industry, 1886