Natural scythe stones

[Mr.Wizard]

I am researching types of natural whetstones for possible inclusion in the next revision of my grit chart. Does anyone have knowledge of these particular scythe stones, especially an approximate range of grit-size-performance compared with synthetic stones? FortyTwoBlades

Bergamasca, Bregenzer, Bergamo, Doppelbock/Pradalunga

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That's a little tricky to sus out for a number of reasons, most notably the fact that natural stone of course does not have a consistent abrasive grain size whatsoever. Then, even if they were all the same grain size, the cut rate is so different between quartz and aluminum oxide or silicon carbide that you can't simply estimate the grit rating vs. synthetics. Further, I specialize in American scythes so while I own several of those stones for personal collection purposes, their primary use is on European scythes that are typically around only 45 RC which skews perspectives of their cutting dynamics, and I mostly use American scythes that are between 50-58, with most being over 55. So the description I might give vs. someone routinely using them will be radically different. Lastly, Ligato Fratelli, the maker of all but the Bregenzer in that list, went out of business due to the owner passing away and his sons not wanting to continue the business, at least to the best of my current knowledge. It caused something of a minor crisis in the international scything community.

 

[Macchina]

That's a little tricky to sus out for a number of reasons, most notably the fact that natural stone of course does not have a consistent abrasive grain size whatsoever. Then, even if they were all the same grain size, the cut rate is so different between quartz and aluminum oxide or silicon carbide that you can't simply estimate the grit rating vs. synthetics. Further, I specialize in American scythes so while I own several of those stones for personal collection purposes, their primary use is on European scythes that are typically around only 45 RC which skews perspectives of their cutting dynamics, and I mostly use American scythes that are between 50-58, with most being over 55. So the description I might give vs. someone routinely using them will be radically different. Lastly, Ligato Fratelli, the maker of all but the Bregenzer in that list, went out of business due to the owner passing away and his sons not wanting to continue the business, at least to the best of my current knowledge. It caused something of a minor crisis in the international scything community.

This is an amazing post and might make me buy my first scythe! Now for a European or American (I just found out there was a difference)

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

This is an amazing post and might make me buy my first scythe! Now for a European or American (I just found out there was a difference)

I own many different global styles (basically every nation in Europe has their own sub-type) and use them all to keep in practice with them, but my personal favorite by far is the American pattern. Every time I use another kind for a while and come back to it it's a breath of fresh air lol

 

[flexo]

"la royale" from french Pyrénées...
( it is at the foot of the Ariège Pyrenees, in the Saurat Valley, that the last factory of natural sharpening stones is located.Created in the early 1900s by the Cuminetti family, this operation was taken over in 2006 by Alain Soucille de THIERS, known until then for his company of abrasive and polishing products.The exploitation of this schistose sandstone, whose fine grain and mineralogical purity allow rational and perfect sharpening, gives rise to a complete range of tools.)