Lot 1331:
James Barber Engraved Barber's Hone and Professional Sharpening Tool Set
Description
This professional sharpening set features a collection of four tools designed for knife maintenance and blade honing. The set includes a stand-alone reddish-brown whetstone that features an impressed oval cartouche on the left face. Within the cartouche, the stone bears the readable impressed name James Barber. This stone shows a significant concave wear pattern in the center from extensive use. The collection also includes a sharpening steel featuring a tapered, ribbed metal rod with a chrome bolster and cross-guard. The handle is made of turned wood with a dark reddish-brown finish and a bulbous grip, terminating in a metal end-cap with a square hanging loop. Two bench stones are included: one long, rectangular grey stone set into a shallow joined wooden base, and a second rectangular stone with a dual-layered dark grey and tan construction mounted on a molded wooden base. No maker’s marks are legible on the sharpening steel or the two cased bench stones.
Condition report:
The sharpening set is in used, vintage condition. The James Barber hone shows significant surface loss and deep concave hollowing in the center from extensive honing (photo 4). The grey bench stone in the wooden case shows a diagonal inclusion or crack near the left edge (photo 2). The sharpening steel rod shows grey surface marking and abrasions consistent with regular metal-on-metal contact (photo 6). The wooden components, including the tool handle and bench stone bases, exhibit light scuffing, minor dings, and finish wear throughout (photo 5). No major chips or structural damage are visible on the stones apart from the noted wear and inclusion.
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