What Is This Hand Hone? (Pics)

Joshua M. Smith

Joshua M. Smith

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
30
Hello,

I found this hone next to the blackthorn cane I purchased at the antiques store:

hone2.jpg


hone1.jpg


hone3.jpg


Maybe I'm sheltered, but I've never seen a hone like this; just flat ones.

It felt very smooth and possibly a bit soft, so I figure it was a portable version of a razor strop. Got out to the car and tried it on a knife with very good steel... and it bit into the edge, so much so that two swipes had that old KillABeAR shaving!

Now, this is much better than I've experienced with any modern hones... including diamond. This thing is something else!

But what is it? And more importantly, what's up with the shape? It looks like a spear point! Is there any specific way one should go about using it? I figure if there weren't, it would be flat on either side and not have the spear point shape.

Looks like it may be made to help keep angles better, but I simply do not know.

Does anyone know what this might be, and can you help me out with it?

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Josh
 
Don't know, but if it works that good, that quick, pleased send it addressed to: .....:D:D

The raised edges should work fine on a large curved belly grind it would seem to me. Any way, good find!

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
For sharpening garden/lawn tools. The stone is a carborundum stone.
 
I had one of those when I was a kid. I figured it was carborundum, as it was sold in the local hardware stores. My grandfather used it to sharpen is push lawnmower blades.


Stitchawl
 
We used to use a carborundum stone like that on grass whips, sickles,
and on an old bush scythe (which I hated, too heavy for a ten year old)

Bill
 
Thanks folks!

It seems to work well on knives, too, especially after I smooth things up with stones from my old Boride gunsmithing set (got a new one). Very hard stones, those!

Chuck the knife handle in a padded vice and go to town!

Regards,

Josh
 
'Carborundum' is the old trade name given to the abrasive that is now usually called 'silicon carbide'. Assuming that's what it is, it ought to work pretty well. Nice find! :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
I agree with Bill, I think they were used for sharpening garden/agricultural tools. We used to have one that we'd sharpen the garden shears and loppers with.

Ric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top