Is this Gold?

Hi folks. Can anyone tell me if I should stick this in my workshop and use it, or save it for posterity?

Isn't a Tam O' Shanter a Scotsman's bobble-topped cap.

Can't see the need for sharpening one of those :D

You should really send it to me at once, Terry

It’s very good for smoothing silver-work and  fine brass-work prior to the final polish.

... It’s an interesting natural stone : I will post some details later tonight.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/12/2020 18:14:28

Very good Pete - sharp as my Stanley knife

Michael - looking forward to that, ta.

It is no longer produced so the prices are silly if you want to buy or sell it!

A few years back i bought a load of wood work tools in boxes at an auction. In one of the boxes was around 10 of these in the photo 8" long unused in boxes., Plus several others of different sizes.

I sold the 10 large ones for between £100- £200 each,bought a nice used southbend lathe with the profits. I actually use woodworking tools all the time and didnt find them useful ,more for silver polishing and razor sharpening .The razor fanatics were mostly the buyers.

Looks like you are right Bizi!

And well done Mark, what a great catch!

I may keep it for my headstone

A few links for you, Terry

**LINK**

https://canmore.org.uk/site/201928/dalmore-water-of-ayr-and-tam-oshanter-hone-works-stone-mine

**LINK**

http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/life-work/key-industries/mining-quarrying/gold-other-minerals/hone-stone-water-of-ayr-stone.aspx

**LINK**

https://shoeboxstudio.com/2015/04/08/the-elusive-tam-oshanter-hone-mourning-the-loss-seeking-a-substitute/

**LINK** [see p3 of the pdf, which is text page 63].

https://sharprazorpalace.com/attachments/hones/138699d1377379681-english-honestones-moore_1978.pdf

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/12/2020 22:12:52

Wow, fabulous history lessons! Thank you so much for that Michael. You've made my Christmas

A short while after finding the big one (6" by 2" x 3/4" roughly) I discovered a diddy one about 1/4" square and 2" long complete with its own mini label.

Edited By Terry Kirkup on 07/12/2020 22:38:03

Edited By Terry Kirkup on 07/12/2020 22:38:31

Edited By Terry Kirkup on 07/12/2020 22:38:55

On the OS map of Snowdonia to the west of Llyn Eigiau is the Mellyn Hone Quarry. More info here Mellyn

It is remote even by the standards of Welsh slate mines, although there is a track of sorts. Perhaps this is why they gave up in 1907. If anyone had one it would probably be worth a bit even if not much use

Interesting use of the word "scotch". Single malt or blend for the cups of tea on cold days?

Small versions of these stones were used in the litho printing trade for removing spots etc from printing plates.

they were usually about 1/4 inch square by 6 inches long. I have one 1/8 inch square.

ME readers used to be advised to give a final hone to HSS lathe tools with an "Arkansas Stone". I don't see much reference to them these days, presumably they're still about. I purchased a small slip-stone but, TBH, I find it too fine and rarely use it.

Clive, Arkansas stone is what engravers love to use to sharpen tooling. Whilst you can buy it, I believe the quality is no where near as good as it used to be.

Matt

I remember being at the dispersal auction of the late great Tom Walshaw (aka Tubal Cain) where all of his workshop equipment and tools was being sold including his Myford S7 and mill.

When I inspected the lathe (I did not buy it) I was amazed at how the HSS lathe tools were honed to an almost mirror finish. I think I recall that he was an advocate for honing HSS tools before use rather than just left in the "as ground" condition......was it something to do with getting a better finish on a job?

(I wish I had bought his lathe...I could only afford to buy one of his scribers at the time......)

Regards to all

Derek

Arkansas stone is another natural stone ... typically much harder than the Water of Ayr / Tam O’Shanter, and therefore better for edges where an accurate profile is required.

MichaelG.

Here’s another good document for you, Terry : **LINK**

https://outsideecho.com/DGT-BIO_files/PDFs/DGT33.pdf

MichaelG.