Thread: 'Charnley Forest' turns out to be Coticule

The wood base seems to be made from two pieces of wood--the "floor" and the "walls." I would guess that the stone is glued to the floor so it reaches down to the seam between those two pieces of wood. It is likely to be a fairly substantial stone. From its apparent age, I agree with Jimmy that its likely to be a natural combo.

I'd try the dry heat first so that you can save the base. Once you get it out, you could put a shim down inside of the base to elevate the hone up higher. This would allow you to use both sides of the hone while still maintaining the antique appearance and functional use of the base.

I had the similar issue with a glued stone. Fist I tryed heat in the oven with NO luck next I put the box in a water bath with the water level just covering the the bottom of the box, just soaked for 20 min. Worked the stone a bit and it came lose.
Good luck.

The base consists of one single piece of wood. I'm reluctant to damage the wood too; I like this old workshop look. There is a crack though (visible in the pic, queer, just below the smilie) so I might not have to actively engage in any breaking activity to eventually get to see what's inside...

In the meantime soaking could do - it worked well with eg my smaller boxed E&Sons - but as the hone has been used with and was completely covered in oil and grease, I would venture the wood is too saturated with the stuff as for the water to be able to permeate.

About the possible BBW backing: I agree it could be a natural combination stone. But wouldn't fine, but thin/brittle/uneven specimina have been choice material for use as boxed stones? Would, in that case, trouble have been taken to glue and tailor a piece of BBW? After all: these backings used to be applied just for stability; the socket would provide that. Or would all of the stones just either have had or have gotten a BBW backing as a matter of course, without discrimination in future use?

Well, I was too curious not to start fiddling to get it out...:

All I can say is WOW ! What a beautiful stone !!

.....Nice!

Man, that is gorgeous. Hell of a find!

Is that backside a BBW? I don't have enough experience with them to tell for myself, but it doesn't look like the BBW I have or others I have seen? Yet, it appears to be natural into the coticule?

Beautiful doesn't do it justice.
Love the tiny granates.

Originally Posted by pjrage

Man, that is gorgeous. Hell of a find!

Is that backside a BBW? I don't have enough experience with them to tell for myself, but it doesn't look like the BBW I have or others I have seen? Yet, it appears to be natural into the coticule?

It is for certain!