I picked up a 'Tiger Razor Hone - Made in Australia' from a second hand tool dealer today. He says he mainly sells razor hones to competitive axemen who use them to put the finishing touches on their axe heads. Its a round ended rectangle of 145 mm X 55 mm x 10 mm (nominally 5.75" x 2.125" x 3/8"). Its double sided with red fine material on one side and a grey, apparently coarser material on the other. There is evidence of it being pressed in a die at some time of production ie a small step on the edge where the radiused corners merge into the straight sides. Both faces are perfectly flat and appear unused. The Tiger brand is impressed in an oval on the red face of the hone. It came in its original box (which is disintegrating) and with the original instruction pamphlet. At the bottom of the instructions it says 'Reynolds Abrasives', Sydney. It has the look and feel of something made in the 40s or 50s. Does anyone have any knowledge of this brand or type of hone. I had a quick rub with it on a Bengall and it works fine.
The dealer had a few other brands. One was a double stone Water of Ayr/Water of Somewhere else (I forget the place) 'Made in Scotland'. I passed up on that one as it was narrower than the Tiger brand and appeared more difficult to use. I hope I haven't made a tragic mistake in my choice!
The dealer had a few other brands. One was a double stone Water of Ayr/Water of Somewhere else (I forget the place) 'Made in Scotland'. I passed up on that one as it was narrower than the Tiger brand and appeared more difficult to use. I hope I haven't made a tragic mistake in my choice!
