Tam-O-Shanter Stones

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  • April 9, 2015 at 5:49 pm #49552
    tmac1956
    Participant

      All:

      I got some fairly small unused Tam-O-Shanter stones from Uncle Larry’s. I snagged them up because these are no longer mined in Scotland, so I figured I would just use one or two and keep the rest as collectibles. Any idea how these are used – I know they are honing stones… water, oil ???

      Thanks,
      Tom

      April 10, 2015 at 10:53 am #62506
      randy
      Participant

        Tom,
        I found this just now;

        DeCarle in his encyclopedia mentions Water-of-ayr stone but not Tam O’ shanter. He mentions: A stone similar in substance to slate and used with water for finishing brass. Found in Stair, Scotland.

        He also mentions Montgomerie stone: Fine greyish-blue stone, similar to slate, for finishing brass. Used with water, it is a fine grade of Water-of-Ayr stone.

        I also see where engravers use them in finishing.

        Water seems to be the correct fluid when using these

        Randy

        April 10, 2015 at 11:07 am #62507
        tmac1956
        Participant

          Randy:

          Thanks! I know that knife collectors love these – probably for nostalgic reasons. Clearly, modern Japanese water stones are superior.

          Later,
          Tom

          April 10, 2015 at 7:25 pm #62508
          david pierce
          Participant

            I have used Japanese water stones a lot to sharpen woodworking tools. When used in successive steps, going to finer and finer grits, I could get a mirror finish on wood chisels and hand plane blades. The Japanese stones cannot be used with oil; only water. Oil will ruin them. The grit sizes on the stones run from 800 to 10,000. The company that makes the Japanese stones is called KING but NORTON also makes a range of water stones.
            david.

            April 11, 2015 at 5:42 am #62509
            bernie weishapl
            Participant

              I like David use Japanese water stones on my woodworking chisels. They are absolutely great. I have to be real careful of my pocket knife after using them on it. Mine go from 800 to 10000. I have six of them. I have never seen stones like you have but have heard of them.

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