Thread: Tam O'Shanter

Where I can find Info and Pics of those stones?

I have a couple of Tams and one Water of Ayr stone. These stones are rather coarse compared to belgian coticules. They're great stones for what they do! Their story is rather interesting. In the southwest corner of Scotland is a town and a river named Ayr. They not only have great stones but also some other history. Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet, was from Ayr. Another fellow named MacAdam was from there also and he's the guy who invented the idea of asphalt roads. Quite a town and definitely on my list of places to go before I die.

You can still get Tams and Randydance or Lynne know best how to do it. Apparently there's one guy still making Tams and you have to call him on Tues or Wed morning and pay in pounds. Ask them for more detail. It's worth having a Tam in your hone collection.

you can see the pictures here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=10900

Actually of buddy Simon Coull has these available and ready to ship. See Joe Chandlers post elsewhere on this forum for these.

Nice stones and Simon is a great guy to deal with.

Tony

Simon Coull visited the mine and is the person who took the pics. He also has all the history of the stones and has established a relationship with the quarry owner.
Contact either Simon or Joe Chandler to obtain them.
They are well worth the money. I have two and really like them. Be sure and use a slurry.

Originally Posted by Howard

I have a couple of Tams and one Water of Ayr stone. These stones are rather coarse compared to belgian coticules. They're great stones for what they do! Their story is rather interesting. In the southwest corner of Scotland is a town and a river named Ayr. They not only have great stones but also some other history. Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet, was from Ayr. Another fellow named MacAdam was from there also and he's the guy who invented the idea of asphalt roads. Quite a town and definitely on my list of places to go before I die.

You can still get Tams and Randydance or Lynne know best how to do it. Apparently there's one guy still making Tams and you have to call him on Tues or Wed morning and pay in pounds. Ask them for more detail. It's worth having a Tam in your hone collection.

I have to dissapoint you though. There's quite a few places that claim Robert Burns as being theirs. Ayr is only one, Dumfries is another (I've been to both).

Ah come on. He's the Bard of Ayrshire!

And he wrote "Tam O'Shanter."

now thats a cool piece of writing....!!

simon

I come from Ayr - Lived in Alloway for twenty years, just down the road from Burns cottaghe - his birthplace. Some of you may be interested to know that rabbie has written some really excellent bawdy poetry for his mens nights out. He used to frequent Pussy Nancys - a pub/brothel in Minishant or was it Mauchline. Anyway he used to entertain pals with such crackers as 'nine inch will please a lady' and 'Nae hair on't' (quite appropriate for this forum)! You can find these if you google for 'The merry muses of Caledonia' and slap Rabbies name with it. I read both at a Burns supper the other night and those who could understand a word or two were in stitches.
I am awaiting my first stright razor and reading up on the challenge ahead. I hope to still have some recognisable features by the end of February. I wondered is there any Scottish equipment/ razors around vintage or otherwise? I noted the Tam O Shanter hone and this may interest me. I have a wee bit to go though before trying to put an edge on anything. Awaiting a colonial razor from Topher bought yesterday and so looking to get a brush and some creams etc.

cheers
Stephen

Another Ayrshire man .. nice I'm just up the road in Largs
welcome to the group ..
I have a Tam O Shanter thanks to Coully - A very nice stone which I actually put to the test on a fiddly Tiger last week .. This razor had tiny little chips ( micro chipping ) .. the TOS took these in it's stride . A worthwhile piece of equipment IMHO
Also just brought back to life a "Hilliard Queen's prize cutler Edinburgh "
http://preview.tinyurl.com/34zv6l

Garry