Thread: Tam O'Shanter

Originally Posted by bjrn

I've heard mentions of the Water of Ayr stones before. What are they like, and are they still being mined? They don't really seem to come up for sale much, and there's not much talk about them so I'm curious.

I've never heard of then but hey ... my knowledge could be held on a postage stamp
I only heard of the TOS when you guys started talking about them .. To think i'm from Ayrshire as well

Garry

Check with Simon, "Coully", for info on the stones of Scotland. He has a book on the subject, very interesting. Send him an email.

The water of ayre stone and the TOS are not mined anymore.
The TOS are cut from the remaining stock of stones quarried before the mine was closed a few years ago. There is not much left.

I have several of the TOS and think highly of them. I use them after the 4k and some people shave off the edge they create.
Use a slurry.

Hope this helps,

Yes, Simon Coull is the go-to guy for Scottish hones. He knows a lot about them and he regularly sells the TOS here.

There are three Scottish stones that I know of, all mined near to one another. There's the Tam O'Shanter, which is about 6K. It's next to impossible to overhone with it, and it's great for removing microchips or simply for removing scratches after 4k or DMT 1200 before going on to finishing hones. It's also apparently good for brittle razors, to prevent microchips.

Then there's the "Dalmore Blue," which is a very beautiful looking hone, about 4K from what I can tell. Faster than the TOS.

And there's the "Water of Ayr" stone, a fine finishing hone which looks and feels like a thuringian. Not as fine as the vintage eschers in my estimation.

The Tam was traditionally for jewelers and watchmakers, the Dalmore Blue "for carpenters and joiners," and the "Water of Ayr" was for "razors and scalpels."

I am so pleased that you've joined SRP! I don't know who dredged up that old post of mine about Ayr but I stand by my words and still want to come there for a visit. I believe there's something very special about the place. If you've any questions about shaving or honing, please feel free to email me.

I think Tony Miller carries Tams. The ones I have are my study collection specimens.

Originally Posted by Howard

I think Tony Miller carries Tams. The ones I have are my study collection specimens.

Tony was actually helping me out there and for a while he listed them for me, id definately appreciate seeing your study collection there Howard as Im sure I havent seen them all.

regards,simon

Sorry to raise the dead again, but here are some of the hones (Dalmore yellow) talked about.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...tml#post264846

M