Thread: How to aquire a charnley

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but what is the best way to buy a CF hone. This particular stone seems to have quite a reputation and I know only that it is a finisher.
Am I right to think that the only stones available are older stones and that the quary is now extinct of this type of rock?
Ironically I don't live quite close to the area where the stones where quarried and have considered doing a little local history research.
Wanting to know more any feedback is welcome and in your learned opinion is this hones reputation deserved?

Originally Posted by Deckard

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but what is the best way to buy a CF hone. This particular stone seems to have quite a reputation and I know only that it is a finisher.
Am I right to think that the only stones available are older stones and that the quary is now extinct of this type of rock?
Ironically I don't live quite close to the area where the stones where quarried and have considered doing a little local history research.
Wanting to know more any feedback is welcome and in your learned opinion is this hones reputation deserved?

Yeah, I'm still looking for one too. I got one off of UK eBay last year and I ended up with one that had been cut right down the middle from the underside. If I were to lap it, it would fall apart.

Interesting, I was under the impression that Charnleys were more common locally in England, and that they were only difficult to find in the US. I'm fortunate to have bought a good Charnley mounted in a big mahogany box (my only one) about a year ago in the SRP forum Classifieds, from a very trusted seller. Charnleys show up occasionally in the forum Classifieds. Local UK antique stores would be another likely source, but old oilstones are so difficult to identify without being lapped, it would be risky to pay well for one without being certain.

They seem to have gained dramatically in both reputation and price over the past year, maybe it runs in cycles. At the time I bought mine, it seemed they were viewed as kind of an odd "collector" type stone more than a confirmed top-end finisher like an Escher or quality Japanese natural. I bought mine to see if it was any good and because it looked so cool, not because I was certain it was good based on reputation alone. They show up on eBay every several weeks or so, but generally cloaked as generic honing stones, not named in the auction title as "Charley Forest." The ones I've seen named in the auction title are generally extraordinary and showy examples, and go for high prices.

In my experience comparing them with other stones, the Charnley is very good at it's niche. It is extremely hard, similar to an Arkansas translucent, but slightly easier to lap, and definitely better feeling and performing in use. For me, it does only one thing - take an already sharp razor to a higher level of keenness and smoothness. They aren't versatile like an Escher or Japanese because they can't really be used to generate a slurry, but they polish and smooth an edge as well as my very best Japanese stones. They are much slower than Eschers or (most) Japanese stones, and would be tough to initially sharpen an edge on, in my opinion.

I use mine exclusively as a final finisher/polisher, with water only. Hi_bud_gl recommends oil for best results, which is true, but I find oil messy to hone with and don't use it. So I use water with a dollop of dish soap to get close to the oil effect. The stone has a wonderful, smooth, oily suction and smooth resistance on a good razor edge. It's a waste of time on an edge that isn't already developed on something like a coticule, Escher, Chinese 12K, Naniwa 12K, Shapton, etc. Mine is so fine and slow I now use it for final polishing after a Japanese natural! It has a similar effect to a CrOx stopping. In fact, I sometimes shave right off my Charnley without even stropping on leather at all. Smoooooth.

Originally Posted by Deckard

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but what is the best way to buy a CF hone. This particular stone seems to have quite a reputation and I know only that it is a finisher.
Am I right to think that the only stones available are older stones and that the quary is now extinct of this type of rock?
Ironically I don't live quite close to the area where the stones where quarried and have considered doing a little local history research.
Wanting to know more any feedback is welcome and in your learned opinion is this hones reputation deserved?

Speak to Neil Miller at strop-shop.co.uk. He knows a huge amount about these stones and has a few for sale. I bought mine from him and I really like it as a finisher.

Claude

I got mine off eBay from a seller down in Brighton. Keep an eye out in antique shops as well as they do show up there from time to time.

They're great finishers and, though pricey, are worth the money IMO. They're only going to become rarer over the years as well..!

There is one in the classifieds now.

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

In my experience comparing them with other stones, the Charnley is very good at it's niche. It is extremely hard, similar to an Arkansas translucent, but slightly easier to lap, and definitely better feeling and performing in use. For me, it does only one thing - take an already sharp razor to a higher level of keenness and smoothness. They aren't versatile like an Escher or Japanese because they can't really be used to generate a slurry, but they polish and smooth an edge as well as my very best Japanese stones. They are much slower than Eschers or (most) Japanese stones, and would be tough to initially sharpen an edge on, in my opinion.

I use mine exclusively as a final finisher/polisher, with water only. Hi_bud_gl recommends oil for best results, which is true, but I find oil messy to hone with and don't use it. So I use water with a dollop of dish soap to get close to the oil effect. The stone has a wonderful, smooth, oily suction and smooth resistance on a good razor edge. It's a waste of time on an edge that isn't already developed on something like a coticule, Escher, Chinese 12K, Naniwa 12K, Shapton, etc. Mine is so fine and slow I now use it for final polishing after a Japanese natural! It has a similar effect to a CrOx stopping. In fact, I sometimes shave right off my Charnley without even stropping on leather at all. Smoooooth.

I agree. Also stainless steel razors and some other razors respond well on a CF. There are variables with any natural stone Check with the SRPers in G.B. Cheeky devils are hoarding them. Waiting. Neil Miller had a beauty a couple months ago. It was expensive. It’s gone. The London meeting is coming up. Should be interesting. I hope they post some pics (Stewart).
Mike

Yep, the plan is to have a bit of a CF-a-thon at the London meet. Dont worry, I'll be bringing my camera and I'll be taking pictures!

Originally Posted by Stubear

Yep, the plan is to have a bit of a CF-a-thon at the London meet. Dont worry, I'll be bringing my camera and I'll be taking pictures!

I actually feel a bit foolish bringing only one Charnley. I will, however, label it so it won't get confused with the dozen others on the table. Stu, there will be a table, right?

There should be. We've got a table at either end of the shop plus the counter tops so hopefully we will be set for space..!