Thread: Microtome Hone

I got the chance at work today to have a look round a lab that is being cleared out and it seems they used to do some microtome work in there. I found this in one of the drawers of junk and it got me thinking. Not having attempted honing yet (still getting to grips with shaving) is it worth hanging on to, are there any fundamental differences between a hone used on a microtome blade and those used on razors.

I also found a few boxed up microtome blades that I am finding it hard to leave to be thrown out.

Keep that one. It looks like a coticule from here, lots of it too.

I"m certain someone on this site can help you identify your hone, I would definetly hang on to it!!
IMHO that is.

Have a great shave while your at it!!

I does look to be a Coticule...(From the Pics)

There is no difference in the hones used for Microtomes,,, only in how they were used because of the use difference

A microtome is designed as a cutting tool it is used to slice tissue, they can get extremely sharp but will be harsh, as they are only sharpened from one side then a draw stroke to finish

To use them as a shaver you have to adjust to be able to smooth up the edge, the is easiest way to do that is by applying electrical tape to the spine, so you can hone it more like a Japanese Kamisori that uses a asymetrical grind... The back side of a Microtome is a true flat so you have to overcome that to get a smooth shaving edge...

I also feel it is a Coti. A nice big one as well. Great score! I use a Microtome strop exclusively for my razors!

I should probably have put something in the photo for scale, the actual stone is about 9" long and about 2.5 wide.

I will take a look tomorrow and see if there are any other stones or anything resembling a strop in there.

I hope it is a coticule but can you take more pics of the sides? It could also be an india oil stone from the one side view.

Here's BIG AO microtome. THe round piece slides over the spine and is a bevel guide for this particular style




The blade is 120MM long


Hang on to that hone!!!

I have one almost like it but it's a Pike India oil hone, just a resemblance I suppose.

An India stone is reddish brown. Pretty common in old wooden boxes. Very nice for upper grits and great for knives. Certainly what this is is a Coticule.
If only I had one!