Thread: What is this rock?

There's the label.

Well, it's vintage and might work for something. Reportedly an estate item from 85 year old fella. If it proves unsuitable for razors, i'll save it for fishhooks and pocket sharps.



flipside looks usable too:

Also, there are zero other items in the sale to indicate a razor user. But there's evidence of gunsmithing and some cutlery. My guess is that this (and the other stone, yet for sale) was used to smooth sears and other gunternals (yeah, i made up a word, use it today!).

The label is hard to make out, but green labels were common for Norton Ark stones, both soft and hard. From the looks, I would say hard. But you will know when you have it in hand. No reason at all why it could not be used for razors.

Its a translucent Arkansas.

And it's en route! I'll report back here in a few weeks as to how it hones.

When you get it, shine a light through it, if you can see it from the other side it's a Translucent Arkansas. Very slow but very fine hone

Oh it's slick, AND nearly flat all surfaces (save the chips).

Translucent for sure.

Filling in a letter or two here and there the Green Label approximately reads:

"Pike's Genuine Hard Arkansas Oilstone"
THE BEST IN THE WORLD
WARRANTED
USE SPERM OR LARD OIL

Now where did i put my whale oil?

Glad I got it--just for the whale oil reference (a timestamp of sorts). Report later in "Hones" section. cheers!