The Celebrated Scotch Tam O’ Shanter Hone
The example on this page is the ‘white’ variant, understood as being finer than the greyer types. I agree that this stone does have an ‘edge’ on the darker TOS I have owned. I have had very dark TOS stones that were lower in the mid-range world, medium grey types that were more central to that class. This one here is a cut above but it is still not in the razor finishing class for me. It falls short but I can shave with one if need be. I would classify it as a higher level midrange to be followed by a real finisher.
Objective analysis of the striations under high magnification using legitimately equal techniques and razors show the coarseness compared to an 8k synth like Jyunpaku, Fuji, or a Shapton Pro 8k, is notable. This can be seen with a 4x loupe too.
These stones cut slow and smoothly. For fine-edge work, any slurry should be routinely cleared from the stone for maximum refinement. The use of slurry when honing razors is counterproductive, but when putting edges on cutlery the mud was useable but also not necessary. I honed on oils and water and found water to be better for my needs. The slurry was more consistent, less clumpy, and easier to get rid of when using water.
Early on, the Hone Works in Scotland used the TOS and Water of Ayr names interchangeably for the spotted stones we refer to as TOS or Snakestone today. I think the hone works got into business in the late 1700s. By the late 1800s there had been many changes in their inventory and marketing.
The black stone with ink spots that we know as Water of Ayr today showed up in the early 1900s. It is a different stone entirely. It is finer, and it was sold as such. The TOS was given more of a ‘medium’ grit designation. If you want to read about the history, there is a Scottish Gov’t run site that provides accurate history about the hone works. There are some historically accurate documents to be found online also.
The TOS is a useful but slow hone for mid-range work on razors. Maybe finishing work on some cutlery. I can squeak out a shaving edge off of a TOS but I can also shave off a 1.5k Shapton Pro.
Objectively, cutting whiskers does not equate to grit ratings which are notoriously whacked and misunderstood anyway. Some people do shave off of TOS stones and I have done so also. Even so, I can’t, and won’t, compare a TOS favorably to a good JIS 8000 stone. If someone likes shaving off their TOS that doesn't’ change the reality of the stone’s place in the scheme of things. These are cool and fun stones, so trying one out if it’s sold at a good price is great. But I would advise against expecting to be selling off your vintage Eschers, Lunes, or Jnats anytime soon.
One way I have used this particular TOS
Bevel set on Shapton Pro 1.5k.
First stage bevel clean up – 4k Glass Stone
Upper Mid-Range – TOS
Follow up pre-finish – Water of Ayr
Final Finish – Escher
Notes..
I had a barely tolerable shave off the TOS.
The shave off the WOA was much better but still not ‘there’.
The Escher nailed it.
