Let's see those sharpeners!

Yes I have I have found the exact stone and box and all, but no per say "real" info. Its super super fine, but it has the grainy look to it. Its cherry red. I'll post a pic shortly.
 
b9fe39a10f3ee9c590429d2526627010.jpg


That's it, I was told today that it's compared to a black Arkansas. But everything I've seen on the net is in Japanese. I also believe I acquired a black today to.
 
Grits on Japanese stones are configured differently than American grits. Google these (JIS and ANSI) for more information. DM
 
David,my IB8 coarse/fine Norton 175th anniversary stone from 1998(SMKW had a bunch of them in 2004 for $8)is marked made in the USA but has no Bear stamp and the same for my IB6 fine india that has 1993 on the box,made in USA no Bear stamp either.I have 4 of the 4" pocket hones that come with Randall knives and the one from my 1987 model 14 and 1998 model 26 have Norton fine india made in USA on them but the one from my 2008 model 3 and 2009 model 8 are unmarked and have a slightly different color and much rougher,gritty finish on them.I was told by the shop manager at Randall Made Knives that the unmarked ones are from Norton.I boiled these pocket hones to remove the oil and use them either dry or with water and they work well this way but need scrubbed with a toothbrush and comet every so often.The two rough unmarked ones were dressed with a coarse DMT stone under running water to get rid of the rough texture.I know several folks who use their fine indias with out any oil or water and get good results,Ethan Becker of Becker Knife and Tool has a IB8 on his kitchen counter that is almost black yet cuts just fine.Every time I see it I have to resist grabbing a brush and comet and scrub the heck out of.it.If I could have only one stone a IB8 coarse/fine india would be it,and watching Jerry Fisk take a dull BK-5 and spending all of about 5 minutes on a fine india followed by stropping a minute on leather charged with green powder will put the quahitas to any doubts about the fine indias ability to produce a razor edge.As Howard Cosell would say it punches well above it's weight.
 
Willis, Yes it has been my main stone for years. Like 28- 30yrs. or so. A good edge can be obtained from that stone especially after some stropping on slurry. My Norton fine India stones purchased in the dates you state (2008) have, 'made in Mexico' inked on the side of the stone and yes these do have a slightly different color and grit feel. I'm like you, I'd have to clean that stone as well. DM
 
Ed Fowler,Jerry Fisk,Wayne Goddard,Bob Dozier and the Randall shop are some makers that use them to sharpen the knives they sell.Here is a pic of Bo Randall using a tri hone in 1947,his grandson Jason still uses this same rig and the Randall knife society forum had a pic of him using it.

 
Last edited:
Pocket fine India and Jasper Viking whetstone pendant from Ragweed next to Camillus Buck 307 with a much used sheepsfoot blade just for keeping Buck knives in the thread.
 
From 82 to 85 I was a powerlineman stationed at Carswell AFB in Ft Worth and the shop had a tri hone.The big heavy professional one,with the coarse crystolon,med and fine Indias.I aim to get one eventually.There was a photo in a Randall knife society newsletter a while back showing Bo's grandson Jason using the same tri hone in the pic.The stones have been replaced but the unit itsself is still going.That is a sign of quality.
 
I would like one of thoes big ones like that. I've got one of the old cedar Smith's with the 8" x 3" stones and it's very nice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top