Thread: How do I identify a hone?

I go to antique shops all the time and see boxes filled with sharpening stones. I was wondering if there was a way to differentiate between a knife sharpening stone and a hone? Thank you, sorry if It is a rudimentary question, but I have never seen or used a hone before.

attend one of the local ish Razorcons, read a lot, talk to poeple who know or take a picture of those hones, post them here and hopefully one of us can identify them for you.

Originally Posted by Aethis

I go to antique shops all the time and see boxes filled with sharpening stones. I was wondering if there was a way to differentiate between a knife sharpening stone and a hone? Thank you, sorry if It is a rudimentary question, but I have never seen or used a hone before.

I wish I had that problem. I've searched several antique shops and only found two sharpening stones...one for knives that I took a gamble on and lost, and one a barber's hone that was clearly marked and identifiable.

I've done plenty of research, and am still in your shoes when it comes to discerning whether or not a stone is meant for razors or knives/tools. If the stone isn't clearly marked or in clearly marked packaging (and even that's a gamble) there doesn't seem to be any way to tell. You just have to have experience enough to know. That said, GSsixgun (Glen) is not too far from you and a mad beast when it comes to honing. You could always try PMing him and seeing if he'd give you a tour of his hones? there are several other guys in your neck of the woods who are honers, and I THINK there's a get together coming up in Spokane or Yakima soon. It may have already happened though. Glen or one of the other North West guys would know for sure.

I've relegated myself to saving up money for new hones, in part to not waste money on hones that aren't for razors, and in part not to waste money on hones that have been abused or misused and will need a lot of work if there's any chance of them honing properly at all. But then again, I don't live in the land of stones you live in. If I did I might be inclined to do more research!

Peace,

As with razors, I think it's one of those things where the more you see the easier it gets. Looking at photos of known hones online can be helpful, but seeing them in person is even better. You could dig through the Hones section and the rest of the forum to start to get an idea of what various hones look like and what their distinguishing characteristics are, and if you have someone local that would be even better. But, keep in mind that antique shop and ebay stones are often covered in stuff, and unless you are looking at a clean hone, identification can be very difficult.