Item on Bay: "Davies' India Rubber Knife Sharpening Board"

[gic]

I saw a listing for an "Davies' India Rubber Knife Sharpening Board" from the nineteenth century. Does anyone know what these are and what they were used for, honing razors??

A google search found nothing

TIA

 

[Framingchisel]

These were used to polish the carbon steel blades of dinner knives along with other machinery designed to clean and polish the patina off of dinner knives. As per of the text shown in the eBay listing, these would have been charged with some sort of polishing compound and used as a strop to restore the shine to the blades. They could, as well, be used to sharpen the blades and similar items exist for use with razors.

 

[gic]

I never thought of using compound on rubber to strop, has anyone tried that probably a bit like hard felt??