Hazard A Guess: Week of May 24, 2001

Hello from Hazard!

We didn’t bewilder too many readers with Item No. 620, shared by Russell May of Lowell, Ohio.

May claims it is used to sharpen straight razors. And those who submitted guesses were on the right track. Mike Esposito of Salem, Ohio, was the first to weigh in with his correct identification as a blade hone. We also heard correctly from Stan Wickham of Somerset, Pa.; Andrew D. Miller of Fresno, Ohio; and Fred Heaberlin of New Castle, Pa.

I must admit, however, that these readers identified the hone as used for things other than straight razors. Wickham believes the item is used to sharpen a scythe blade and Heaberlin called it a stone hone for putting a finishing edge on a draw knife or scythe blade, as well as some planer blades.

I think everyone’s probably right. No doubt, the hone was used for more than one item.

Now, on to Item No. 621. Alas, we must tell you up front that the box-type item is a mystery item, meaning the sender doesn’t know what it is or is used for. We give you two views today. The top lifts up and the box is about 53/4 inches high. It is about 13 inches deep and 73/4 inches wide.

Take a good look and let us know what you think. Send your guesses to: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail to: editorial@farmanddairy.com.

We’ll be running this item for at least two weeks, because “Farm and Dairy” has an early deadline (Friday, May 25) for the May 31 issue because of the Memorial Day holiday.