Thread: Question Regarding 'Old Time' Honing

arkansas was actually being explored by the Spanish before most of the origional colonies were even founded. Weather or not they used the stones from the area, I don't know, but it's entirely plausible. They would have needed something to keep their swords sharp and it would be impractical to carry a stone with them at all times.

Originally Posted by Theseus

arkansas was actually being explored by the Spanish before most of the origional colonies were even founded. Weather or not they used the stones from the area, I don't know, but it's entirely plausible. They would have needed something to keep their swords sharp and it would be impractical to carry a stone with them at all times.

Agreed, I'd bet they look for something locally to use. In those days, You had a smitty, who more than likely had a sharpening wheel. When I grew up, I remember having a butcher shop down the street, sawdust on the floor and all. He has a big stone wheel in the back of his place, Many times, He'd have the gate open, and I'd see him sharpening knives....

Originally Posted by Theseus

arkansas was actually being explored by the Spanish before most of the origional colonies were even founded. Weather or not they used the stones from the area, I don't know, but it's entirely plausible. They would have needed something to keep their swords sharp and it would be impractical to carry a stone with them at all times.

Good point, no doubt the native Americans in the area were sharpening their knives, arrowheads, what have you. Probably the first to discover the properties of the Arkansas sharpening stones.

Originally Posted by Theseus

arkansas was actually being explored by the Spanish before most of the origional colonies were even founded. Weather or not they used the stones from the area, I don't know, but it's entirely plausible. They would have needed something to keep their swords sharp and it would be impractical to carry a stone with them at all times.

I would wonder about that. Any kind of organized expedition could well carry a few stones, and I would rather than risk needing a decent sharpening stone and not being able to find one. Individual explorers might be different but any large scale expedition it is no bother at all. Look at all the stuff Lewis and Clark toted across the US.


I checked and Lewis and Clark specifically have whetstones listed in their inventory.

Originally Posted by PonderingTurtle

I would wonder about that. Any kind of organized expedition could well carry a few stones, and I would rather than risk needing a decent sharpening stone and not being able to find one. Individual explorers might be different but any large scale expedition it is no bother at all. Look at all the stuff Lewis and Clark toted across the US.

This is true. Most of the exploration of the continant by the Spanish was done in small groups, most of them breaking away from the main expedition force, to look for gold and treasure.