Thread: Help in ID of old hone, Please!

So any new info on this stone? Is it a finisher or bevel setter?

Originally Posted by Piet

I agree that it looks like a vintage India (I bought some by mistake) so it's probably an India or another vintage synthetic. I doubt it's a finisher but who knows, you just have to try it.

Fortunately I've been able to sell off the Indias I bought by mistake locally. The last one I didn't even bother to lap. I didn't want to lose money and time because of a mistake

I think thats what the sucker is, then. What is an India oilstone for? Looks like the one you pictured was made by Norton. I just bought it because it was 10 bucks and I took a chance it was good for something! Thanks

I assume they were intended for (woodworking) tools and such. $10 is not a bad price and you may be able to put it in your honing progression.

Originally Posted by Memorael

Doesn't look like an Arkansas.

It doesn't ? Well , all I can say is that it looks a lot like my hard Arkansas .

Ive got a couple of those India Oil stones knocking about. I also bought them by mistake, though I have read they are in the 4K region and therefore may be used with slurry to set bevels. Or just as a 4K. Either way, not a finisher, which is what we are all after, right?

The second photo looks a lot like my Arkie.

Wow! i don't know about this one being in the 4000 range. It seems a WHOLE lot finer that that! If a hard Arkansas is truly hard and an India is 4000 and will slurry up then the quandary continues! I suppose it is a "mystery hone" and cannot wait to substitute it for my 12k finisher to see what happens! I will report soon, but my shave den is under remodel at present, so I will be grabbing wedges for a few days! Thanks, guys! I appreciate the feedback and interest as well!

I have an old Norton combo Oil Stone, 11 1/2 x 2 1/2, not sure what it is, exactly, I'd guess India. One side is coarse, and looks like the OP's. The other is smooth...

I have a Coticule 8x3, that looks just like that stone.....

I've been following along with interest b'cuz I've got a hone which I know nothing about and thought I might pick up a pointer or two along the way. ONe thing that popped up a couple of times was people mentioning that they hoped it wasn't an India stone. Should they be avoided? Will they hurt razors? Just personal preference?

Hope the OP's stone works out for him -- sounds like he's putting a lot of work into it.

thats an indian stone i too have bought a few old stone's off of ebay and cleand them up and found them to be and indian stone the orange dot's give it away they are good for bevel setting thats what i use mine for