General Buying Guide for Hones. Tips from the pros.
I was hoping the pros here could chime in and give us some pointers on some of things that we should look for when search flea markets, antique stores, estate sales, and even ebay.
In may cases, the color of the stone can be misleading. Unless the hone is clearly a dark green with the red streaks you may not know you've stumbled upon a Charnely Forest.
I know that Hardness of a stone is a good indicator in the process of identifying old hones. Charnleys are very hard, but the eschers/thuringians are much softer.
Is there are tricks or specifics things to look for (besides obvious damage that may prevent the hone from even being useful). How does one determine the hardness of the stone besides pulling out a dmt.
Is there a clear way to determine that a stone would not be properly used with a razor? I know that anything that is marked as a razor hone is a good indication, but there are many stones out there that may just come in a wooden box or not in anything at all.
Are there characteristics that good razor hones have that we can identify short of taking pics and posting them here. I think that should be recommended as well, but it may not always be a possibility.
Does anyone have anything they could share about the popular razor hones to identify them:
Such as eschers/thuringians being ranging for a dark blue/grey/light greenish color and feel softer?
Or Charnely's with typically have an olive green color may/may not have red streaks and will be very hard
Tam O'Shanters?
I know a lot of this will be subjective, but any help may help me one day find a diamond in the rough so to say.
Thanks to all that are willing to participate. You are all gentlemen and scholars.
Scotch hones, a couple of threads