lurker":1g0yglp5 said:
I agree it's because of the novelty value: so far as I am aware it's the only stone to come out of that quarry in the past 75 years.
I have nice oil stones but only use scary sharp in reality but am a recent convert to diamond following the trend offer many of us grabbed earlier in the year
Sorry to say there are younger hones which came from Whittle Hillquite recently (just few I saw sold on bay by guy who got hold of some stone from one of the quarries) but also there were others made in fifties and sixties by the last CF honemaker. Also there are other quarries/ sources for CFs more or less publicly known.
Apart from that and back to the original question CFs are not one stone to do all job at all. They are too fine. To be on the par with Washita from what UK can offer you would be more somewhere arroun Dalmore Yellow but it will wear faster than the Washita. On the other hand if I will want one hone only for sharpening of thick edged tools I love Old Turkey. So far quicker, can use pressure for sharpening, decent polish finish and does not wear out quickly.
I use naturals for fun.
If I want fast and not messy my atomas do the job. If the steel is a bit dodgy Tam O Shanter often is the hone of choice.