GGs:
All this talk of grinding and sharpening has reminded me that I've
been meaning to ask about a stone I have. I bought it new, 35+ years
ago. The outer cardboard box is kind of an orange color, with "Case XX"
logos all over it. The end of the box says "Pattern MOON STONE" and the
inner clear plastic box says "The Finest Stone A Man Can Own" with "Case
XX" below that (the XX is below the tail end of the script "C"), and
then the next line says "W.R. CASE & SONS CUTLERY CO". The bottom line
says "BRADFORD, PENNA". I guess the "PENNA" kind of gives away the age
(as now PA is used to abbreviate Pennsylvania, Jeff). I'm convinced
it's manmade, because the edges of the stone have a uniform notch all
the way around, both top and bottom. Looking at it from the side or end
it resembles the profile of the notched Stanley rectangle logo. That
make sense?? It was originally white, but now is a light brown, which
is the color of the little tin of Buck honing oil I used on it (and I
used the entire tin of oil over the years). It's extremely smooth and I
get very little swarf when using it.
I searched Case's website and they don't even offer stones any more.
The only reference to a moon stone I've been able to find in a google
search (along with 270,000 references to mystical, magical stuff) was
one guy who said he has one he uses to sharpen X-Acto knife blades...and
that he's been looking to buy another for years with no success.
It measures 3-13/16" X 1-7/8" X 1/2". I've only ever used it to sharpen
knives (I have ~12-15 folders and a few (5-6 sheath knives) for the
final hone.
The price sticker on the bottom of the box shows I paid $8.50 for it,
which was a whole lot of money for me back then. IIRC, I bought it
along with a Buck folder and I think I paid for the the stone than the
knife.
Anybody know anything about this stone? Opinions and/or guesses are
welcome.
Charlie Rodgers
Clinton, Maryland
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