Thread: Need help identifying an antique whetstone

Hi- Don't know exactly what you have, but there is a very fine sharpening stone known as "Welsh Slate" that might fit the bill. You can probably extend the life of your stone by gluing it to a thick piece of glass (this will allow you to use it when it is very thin).
-Howard

I'm thinking it perhaps could be a Tam O Shanter. They are grey with dark spots.

Thomas

Sounds very much like Tam O'Shanter (as mentioned above). This one is quite small (about 3" x 2"). I don't think they are available any more, Last I heard the company was no longer in business and the quarries closed.
I visited one of the quarries in Ayrshire, Scotland about 25 years ago, fascinating place, all the paths around the site were made from broken T O'S stones & off-cuts.
The stones do turn up on Ebay from time to time. If you want natural finishing stone, alternatives would be Charnley Forest (a fine greenish coloured stone again only avaiable second hand) or Arkansas (USA - still available at a price!).
There are plenty of synthetics on the market but I don't get enough pocket money to go there....
Being able to identify the old natural stones can be quite handy as they often turn up at car boot or junk sales. I have picked up some very nice stones this way.
Mark