Maybe out of scope of forum, but here goes....

I was looking up hones the other day and because of budget reasons was wondering if this was a logical alternative.. Stumbled across a site in Wales,UK. Selling slate honing stones, read through some of the threads here where they are mentioned seems to have some members swear by them others were more mixed reviews. The question i have is this, given that once roughly 400 - 460 mya the British Isles and New England were joined before faulting and rifting separated the two.. The area of Vermont I am from is one of the few places the some of the same slate deposits as wales, age, color, composition(assume). Would clear slate from Granville, NY- Fair Haven,VT - Poultney, VT area make a servicable hone? I know this is a stretch but any comments, advise, or criticism is welcome, thanks anyone who can shed some light on this.

I'm not rock knowledgeable but logic (to me), would say that there are enough similarities to at least conduct a test. Get a piece, contact local mentor or rock expert to see how to get a good surface and try it out on a secondary razor. If it works, buy a couple tons of it and semi-retire. A new cottage industry.

Interesting you say that as I spent some time in Putney, VT last spring and there were an abundance of beautiful slate stones in the creek bed near our cabin. Some were smooth as can be. I only started with straights later this past year so I wasn't thinking of hones but this did cross my mind later after we had left the area. I could tell you exactly where to look if you wanted to hunt for a good rock.

Seems like that would be a worthwhile project to cut and try. Assuming there is an easily found source, take it to a stone/tile mfg, if there is one in the vicintiy, and get it cut to size and flattened. See if it is any good with pocket knives or razors. I tried the 'dragon's tongue' , which IIRC is a Welsh slate, and did not care for it.

Will have to try it, still have a few friends that work for Vermont structural slate, and know a few of the smaller quarry owners from years ago when i was working in the quarries in high school. Headed that way next week to visit family. There is a source of slate on the property as well. But it'll give me a chance to visit a few guys i haven't seen in years. Should be fun. Will post an update later next week.

Sounds promising!

If I mail you a shovel and a hacksaw, could you send me a few dozen samples?

Slate is metamorphosed shale and is pretty common stuff. The area around Wurtzboro N.Y has loads of. There is a RR Tunnel there long abandoned that goes through a mountain of it. It's usually layered and has perfect cleavage so a sledge and some chisels and it will produce very straight uniform pieces. Whether is makes a good hone is determined by the fineness of the individual particles that make it up. It was used mostly for blackboards and roofing tiles but these days probably more for landscaping and architectural purposes.

There have been a few rockhounding threads here. I encourage you to go out and look and see for yourself. I do quite a bit myself. Some of the things that you will want to stay clear of quartz veins and inclusions. The slate needs to be dense enough, so no air pocket, in holes or formational fissures. The color doesn't matter at all. In fact the color of the outside of the rock is usually different than the inside. It needs to have enough crystal content to be able to cut. If you chip the rock it should show very very tiny sparkles. Cutting it is a bit of a pain but if you have access to rock tile or concrete saws thumbs up. Lapping takes some time. Then go nuts with metal object. Start with a spoon or a pocket knife and then use your razor. There is a thread of rockhounding currently going on called I found it over there. There are two other dysfunctional rockhounds in that thread, other than me, that are sharing finds and encouragement.

Very cool, thanks guys. Probably wont be looking for any stone this trip, but can see about getting access for spring or after the snow melts. It wouldn't be a problem send out a few samples, if i can get access and/or find suitable material. Will follow up later.

Perhaps you could find an old vintage pool table with slate top that is damaged and cut some pieces to try as hones. Just a thought...........

see: http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ver-there.html

Well made the trip up and looked at a few pieces slate all seemed to have tiny sparkles to varying amounts. Shows promise. It was local stone so once it thaws out this spring i will be returning for some usable pieces. Shouldn't be too difficult as there are man made mountains of slate "slag" discarded by the quarries and shingle/structural slate industries. Most with at least one smooth wet-sawn face. Of a wide range of sizes, shapes. So it should be possible to possibly make a set of stones. However this may take quite a bit of time to find usable right sized pieces. What in your opinions would be the most useful size i was thinking in the realm of approx. 8"x3" for the working surface. Thickness can be easily cleaved.

I am fond of 7x2 1/2 but 7x2 is what I can make the easiest. 8x3 seem to be a very common size for synthetics. Not many of the vintage hones were made that size. They new ones are available in that size though.

I just cut whatever i can to make a test piece. I use an inverted circular saw with masonry blade to cut/shape the shale that i drag home.

I wound up with a thick square piece once. It's great as you have 4 sides to work from and it sits nicely in the hand. It's about 3.5x4. My Coti is 5x2.5 and that's about as small as I like to use. I prefer something about 2.5 x 6+ inches or so.

You can cut on site with a carbide hacksaw cable-blade...but you'll need a helper keeping it wet/flushed as the cable loads up rather quickly.