Thread: What have I bought this time?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

soapstone is far softer than steel,it will not work as a hone,would be like honing a a slice of of a potatoe.

What if its a really hard potato? you know, like mom used to make?!?

I will have to give it another try with another razor. I honed a Torrey with this stone and it worked as good as any other Thuringians I have. I use a microscope on the edge and it didn't scratch the edge,but it did give it a better edge. It didn't pass the hanging hair test off the Norton and neither off of this stone, I did strop like I usually do after finishing and it did pass the hanging hair test afterwards. I will keep everyone posted. This stone to me is as soft as any Thuri that I have and I have some Eschers with labels and light blue colors, blue green, yellow green, dark blues to compare it with, I don't know like I always say "Go figure "!!

I love this site, theres a whole lot good and some funny input involved. Who knows what this material really is? Maybe I should cut it up and send some people samples amd see how many different conclusions we can come up with, kinda like Geology class.

I remember hearing a story on The Wood wrights Shop (PBS show) about a front step in Colonial Williamsburg that appeared to be used as for honing knives on. Maybe this is another multi-purpose stone like that.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

It wouldcertainly be nice for many (not me) but its never going to happen. If 145 million russians cant get right...

Naysayer Neil

144.9999 Russians did get it right,the ruling body of Russia did not.My family came to the U.S from the Ukraine in 1919 to escape the bolshivicks (SP) they went back in 1925 because communism worked well for them,they all had food because the collective farms fed everyone,nobody starved.
They came back to the U.S in 1928 when evil Communism kicked in,than everyone starved.
The pure form of Communism (everyone works and provides for the entire collective) is a reality in the U.S. I think it is a good thing,JMO

And the price of tea is going up in China.

Ruday,

I can all but guarantee you that is soapstone. As an antiques buff, I have seen more than a few of them, and in various sizes.
It had never occurred to me to try one for a hone. That doesn't mean it wont work as one!

I am not convinced that just because it might not be harder than steel, that it wouldn't improve an edge if used properly. Water is not very hard (unless you have the well water down in Binghamton!) and yet it can wear through stone and steel alike given enough time or pressure!

Now my curiosity is all worked up, and I am going to have to look around for a chunk of soapstone to play with.

It could be the new found material for honing as well as for ice cubes.

So I gather that my guess of it being an antique frisbee is way off then.....

I am telling you it works as a finishing hone, whatever it is. I wish I could tell you different, but it works!