Thread: My "Water of Ayr" Scotch Hone

How do Water of Ayr hones compare to coticules/Eschers/Thuringians?

Are they fast or slow cutters? How fine are they? Any estimate of grit size?

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

If you want a WOA stone, Sutton Tools UK have them, amazingly !!
Sutton tools is a Jewellers supply place in Birmingham.
I asked what sizes they have, the gentleman on sales had a look and 'ummmed and ahhd', I said oh!,what the hell, whats the biggest you've got in stock? I bagged a 6inch X 1inch square.
£23 excluding vat and a couple of £'s delivery.
On a side note, he said they are waiting delivery on more stock from the mine!! I said nothing!
I ring the mine nearly every morning and get to talk to British Telecoms answerphone
BTW The sizes on their web site a not representative of what they have/had/will (ha ha ) have, or so he told me.
The link bellow (but I'd ring them to see what is left)
Sutton Tools Water of Ayr Stones

Love M

I'd say there's a very good chance what they're selling is the Tam O'Shanter. Although the mine has for some time distinguished between the 'fine' Tam (which is grayish brown and mottled/spotted) and the 'very fine' Water of Ayr (which is dark charcoal-gray-almost-black with no spots or 'figure'), I've noticed that in many circles the two names are used interchangeably and what's being referred to is always the Tam. And indeed in the past the Tam was properly called the 'Water of Ayr' stone. The true 'Water of Ayr' is very rare.

I would be careful here, and ask Sutton Tools to describe the appearance of the stone. It should be very dark and homogeneous, like a new Thuringian or Hunsrueck but without the inclusions.

Originally Posted by dylandog

I'd say there's a very good chance what they're selling is the Tam O'Shanter. Although the mine has for some time distinguished between the 'fine' Tam (which is grayish brown and mottled/spotted) and the 'very fine' Water of Ayr (which is dark charcoal-gray-almost-black with no spots or 'figure'), I've noticed that in many circles the two names are used interchangeably and what's being referred to is always the Tam. And indeed in the past the Tam was properly called the 'Water of Ayr' stone. The true 'Water of Ayr' is very rare.

I would be careful here, and ask Sutton Tools to describe the appearance of the stone. It should be very dark and homogeneous, like a new Thuringian or Hunsrueck but without the inclusions.

If it's the same website I'm thinking of (the one that shows no pictures of the "Water of Ayr" stones at all), I contacted them about 4 months ago and asked them to describe the appearance of the stone. They're selling Tams and not Water of Ayrs. And, if I remember, the sizes available are small. So, I absolutely agree with you, Tam and Ayr are unfortunately used very loosely and are not definitive.

Chris L

It'll be here tommorow, I'll let you know.

I actualy got through to the Scotch Hone Mine/works today while at work I was shocked!!!
I asked what was available, the man on the end of the phone said "what do you want?"
I thought I may have rung a crack delear by accident I prefered hash in my younger days! Nothing too hard you know!
I said a TOS, a DB and a WoA, he said "what sizes?" I said "6x2 of each"
he said "give me your phone number" I did! I daren't refuse
He said "I'll ring you back on this number once I've worked out how much and delivery"
Have I rung the Godfather!!??
He hasn't rung me back yet, I'm a bit frightened, a car with blacked out windows might turn up
M

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

I thought I may have rung a crack delear by accident M

Are you sure you weren't drugged up to your eyeballs when you rang and the man on the phone actually was YOUR crack dealer?

On a more serious note: you owe it to the SRP community to buy as many hones as you can lay your hands on and put them on the B/S/T forum.

Hey hey I'm no "druggie" I had a couple of puffs in my younger days ala Bill Clinton.
I'm not holding my breath that the guy will even ring me back to be honest.
He did seem keen to know what I wanted though!
I really think someone like Howard should use his shop to sell them. He could put in a proper large order and keep the market fully supplied, I don't think an "Individual" could really do it.
If I manage to get some/one I will tell you all.

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

Hey hey I'm no "druggie" I had a couple of puffs in my younger days ala Bill Clinton.
I'm not holding my breath that the guy will even ring me back to be honest.
He did seem keen to know what I wanted though!
I really think someone like Howard should use his shop to sell them. He could put in a proper large order and keep the market fully supplied, I don't think an "Individual" could really do it.
If I manage to get some/one I will tell you all.

Good old Bill who never inhaled and enjoyed watching Monica enjoy his cigar. I still cannot believe Hillary never realised what liability he was to her campaign.

But, look on the bright side, he never wasted tax payers money on his dry cleaning!

Sorry for meandering off course captain....

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

I actualy got through to the Scotch Hone Mine/works today while at work I was shocked!!!
He said "I'll ring you back on this number once I've worked out how much and delivery"
Have I rung the Godfather!!??
He hasn't rung me back yet, I'm a bit frightened,
M

a few words here....DONT HOLD YOUR BREATH!!!...that is why i stopped selling them...best time to call the mine, tuesday AND THURSDAY morningS between 11.30 and 12.30....