Thread: Early 1800 Charles Babbitt Hone

I was wondering if anybody could tell me about this. Any feedback would be great. Thanks

Early 1800's? Really? Please enlighten us.

O, and the rules by which you pledged to abide seem to prohibit valuations.

That is correct. Valuations (ie discussions of worth) are not permitted on the open forum. But to answer your question, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Now joking aside, the best way to get an idea it to search for similar items on the bay and see what they are selling for.

That looks more like a sharpening steel, which isn't a hone and is like a file made for basic knife sharpening and not razors. Of coarse I'm not an expert but that's what it looks like.

On the case the writing says made and warranted by Charles Babbitt Tauton Mass. Charles Babbitt was born in 1786 died in 1854. I have had conversations with the tauton mass historical society and they think it is one of a kind. They have similar hones in their collection but none like this. Sorry for bringing up price. my bad. just want to how rare this item is. Also, if anybody has anything like it.

Thanks

On the case it says Cast Steel Hone for sharpening razors, pin knifes and surgical instruments.The top of the handle comes off and has paste in it. The case is at the top of the picture which is covered by leather. The middle piece in the picture is a wooden block with leather on both sides which the hone slides into. At the bottom of that wooden block is another insert which has paste in it as well. Than the hone slides into that wooden block.

Originally Posted by wiffel

On the case it says Cast Steel Hone for sharpening razors, pin knifes and surgical instruments.The top of the handle comes off and has paste in it. The case is at the top of the picture which is covered by leather. The middle piece in the picture is a wooden block with leather on both sides which the hone slides into. At the bottom of that wooden block is another insert which has paste in it as well. Than the hone slides into that wooden block.

Sound like a regular old paddle strop to me.

Have you ever seen one like it??

Originally Posted by wiffel

Have you ever seen one like it??

I haven't seen that particular brand but paddle strops have been around for a while.

I am hard time believing that it is as old as I have been told. I have done research on Charles Babbitt and I have spoken to the historical society. He had a shop in Tauton Mass. He was a silversmith and a clock maker. There is a brand on the back of the case with a "B". It is in real nice condition. The instructions on the front of the case seem to be coated right into the case. They have not lifted or peeled but they have tarnished a bit.