Thread: Where are my rock experts?

Here's a pic of a hone that I found on the web. I've been patiently looking for a nice Thuringian so I decided to start some research. Knowing exactly what they look like first is a big help! If any one can take a stab at what kind of rock we're looking at here, I'd be greatful. It's very grey in color and has some nice streaks running throughout.

Looks to me like a common dual-grit silicon carbide oilstone with some streaks of dried oil or grease on the sides.

The first photo looks like a coarse stone, but the lines on the sides makes me think it's a natural. If you would like more information about the stone, we need a lot of photos. I don't think it's a Thuringian in any case. If you need more information about Thuringians, the SRP wiki and many threads about them have a lot of information.
For a start, you can buy a "Celebrated razor hone", 5x1" stones in boxes, they are not very expensive, and you'll know that you have a Thuri.

Thanks Vasilis. I think that stone is a natural but probably nothing really fine. Not sure if the streaks are oil stains or not. It was a listing online that caught my eye. I'll look into Celebrated razor hones. Are they found commonly on eBay or do you know a good source?

No rock expert here, but based on those 2 poor photographs alone, I side with JeffR on this one, with one exception; I believe it to be a single grit Carborundum (silicon carbide) # 118. The 118 is a fine grit silicon carbide of about 1000-1200. In a photo like that it can be mistaken for a natural. The side photo appears to be dried oil & grease just like JeffR said.
Ask the owner for a good close up of the side & that will tell all.

Here is a picture of a # 118 in the Library;

Carborundum Hones - Straight Razor Place Library

Please more detailled pictures from the side...right now i would also guess a natural stone....

Sometimes these stones really look like thuringians i also bought one looking like this...

So the details probably will bring it up...

Originally Posted by wyobarbershop

Thanks Vasilis. I think that stone is a natural but probably nothing really fine. Not sure if the streaks are oil stains or not. It was a listing online that caught my eye. I'll look into Celebrated razor hones. Are they found commonly on eBay or do you know a good source?

Celebrated water razor hones are old stones, I don't think there is someone who sells NOS pieces, but you'll find many on ebay, and every now and then, here on the classifieds. Try not to spend more than 100$ for one.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...azor-hone.html that's about how it looks like. The stone might be darker, or more light colored, Thuringians have variations. And the label can also be white.

No old thuringian are sold up to date as NOS...so you need some old stones or have to visit the quarries

Here is a great post started by Hatzicho with nice thuringian beauties....different layers with different colours...

Thuringian Beautys http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=93949