Question re: old block of ?no idea?
fledgling_woodworker
| Posted in General Discussion on
I recently began sorting through a collection of inherited tools, and I cam across a small block of some mystery compound with the letters “MUNNI(?T?)” stamped in the top. The block is nearly cubic with approx. 2” dimensions. My first thought is that it’s some kind of wax, but the material is black-ish when applied to a surface. This one’s a mystery to me, and I’d like to know whether I could get some use out it as a honing compound, etc. The tool collection itself spans from 1890s to 1950s, with most items orbiting closer to 1900-1920. Thanks ahead of time for your thoughts here. (I tried to attach a photo, but I’m not sure whether it will show up as I’m on an iPad.)
A Fledgling Woodworker
Replies
I think you might have a piece of old polishing compound from the Hanson Van Winkle Munning Company that was once in Matawan, New Jersey. Among other things they did plating and polishing. Something similar to your item is currently listed on ebay.
Thanks for your insight! Just checked ebay per your suggestion, and that appears to be the case. My only question now is whether it would serve as an adequate honing compound for stropping chisels, plane blades, etc.
I don’t strop my blades so can’t say, but the compound was probably used to charge a buffing wheel before polishing a piece of metal.
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