Well, moonstone is a type of crystalline feldspar. When you shine  
light on it at the right angle, the stone glows blue. Pretty stuff.
...............................
Gary Roberts
http://shop.toolemera.com
http://toolemera.com
http://toolemerablog.typepad.com

"I'ld rather read a good book, than write a poor one." Christopher  
Morley

On Sep 25, 2009, at 2:36 PM, Charlie Rodgers wrote:

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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