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Hone

Hone
Stone
1775-1800
Hone
Hone
Stone
1775-1800
Hone Stone 1775-1800
Status
Not on view
Label Text

In an age before safety razors, regularly sharpening and setting one's straight razor was essential to ensuring a smooth and comfortable shave. Stone hones, lubricated with oil and water, were used to sharpen the razor's blade, which was repeatedly drawn across the hone at an angle. According to family tradition, this hone was given by George Washington to his nephew, Major George Lewis.

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Date1775-1800
Geography Made - United States
Medium/TechniqueStone
DimensionsOverall: 8 1/4 in. × 1 1/2 in. × 5/8 in. (20.96 cm × 3.81 cm × 1.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Everett W. Beall, 1963
Object numberW-2414/A
DescriptionRectilinear piece of yellow-tinted stone with squared sides and one short end carved to a point; dark, wavy grain lines are visible across its top surface; beveled top edge.
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