Oh Internets, I thought it was possible for you to help me find ANYTHING. And then this little hand held tool got the better of you. No amount of Google or Ebay futility resulted in finding another one of these things. So I’m channeling some Doobie Brothers and Takin’ It To The Streets. Maybe the peeps can help a girl out. Here’s the backstory:
The Craftsman you see up there belongs to one soon to be 87 year old Grandmother. She uses it like a wee whetstone for her smaller knives. I couldn’t tell you where or when she got it but it’s safe to say the old girl has had it for many, many moons. And like most things, it eventually gets to the end of the road and needs to be replaced. The problem is that she can’t find anything like it.
She’s been to stores. I’ve been online. Between the two of us, we’re savvy enough most of the time. But this one has us stumped. A traditional hand held knife sharpener isn’t a workable solution because when you get to be almost 87, your hands aren’t what they used to be.
Nothing would make me happier than to deliver a replacement. Does anyone out there have any idea where to get something like this? Or perhaps even refresh the one she’s got? Inquiring minds want to know.
Bon Appetit Hon 
Oh man! I wish I could help you out.. that sounds like a nice tool to have in the kitchen. I’ll send it over to my dad the carpenter and to my cousin the chef and see what they think.
Elizabeth, that would be greatly appreciated. My friend Lara is also pounding the pavement to see if these still exist somewhere. Y’all are just awesome.
Have you thought of taking it to a small hardware store and asking if they had ever seen anything like it? Not Home Depot, but someplace like Lombard Hardware. Or the Craftsman website?
I looked at all the Craftsman products offered at Sears and even searched eBay for Vintage Craftsman Handtools.
And my friend Lara, bless her, contacted Craftsman directly this morning and they couldn’t help.
Lombard Hardware…I’m not familiar with them. I’ll have to look them up. Thanks for the tip.
Maybe if you try a person who does knife sharpening they can set you onto one of these. And i will take the picture and canvass here. Never know what will turn up in this burg.
Thanks Emily. All help is greatly appreciated.
Uh…..does it have tohave this configuration? plenty of carborundum stones there but not in this style. this seems to be more of an antique.
Emily, I had to google carborundum stones but that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Now I have a solid lead to work from….THANK YOU.
I checked with the supply store around the corner from me. it has been here since Adam was a pup. All he carried now are the kind with the little wheels. He showed it tome and I was NOT impressed.
He suggested that I try a cooking store. Carborundum is what you want. From investigating online there are different types.
I still say try a knife sharpening shop. Those guys have to get their supplies from somewhere.
I have the kind of sharpener with the wheel gizmos and yeah, it pretty much sucks and is definitely not Grandmother friendly. I’ve got an eBay lead that will hopefully come through. Should know soon.