Thread: Anyone up for name that hone?

So, what color is it?

One photo looks green the other purple.

Some close ups would help as would photos of the slurry.

Top stone looks quite a bit like a Washita, but you'd have to try it to find out for sure - some hard Arks look very similar.

Hey Again Euclid,

Sorry, but I'm limited by my photo technology. Don't think I can get much more close up of the two naturals than I already have, but can try to get some slurry pics after I've cleaned them up. The top stone is sort of a greyish speckled color. The last one is a deep black -- almost the color of old cast iron frying pans.

The last one is the most interesting and possibly the finest.

If it was purple or chocolate brown….

If it’s black black most probably a blue slate or maybe a Black Ark.

The slate may slurry dark grey and the Ark almost white and hard to slurry.

Either may be a winner.

Judging by the scratches, maybe a Slate.

Here is an end labeled Dark Blue Escher, (No bottom label) produces thick charcoal grey slurry, note the saw cut marks on the end and sides.

A fine grit hone.

It's a PHIG !!!!!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

It's a PHIG !!!!!

I started washing the first stone with dishwashing detergent and Smith's. Still has blackish speckles after about 15-20mns of scrubbing. Is this the natural color of the stone or is it just really stubborn oil build up over many years?

Given that the distribution of black is not uniform, but rather is mainly in the middle third, I would speculate it is residual oil driven deeper into the hone by use. If the hone is slightly dished in the center that would also explain it.

If it's a Washita it's definitely old oil. Here is a before and after shot of an old Washita I bought a while back - second (after) shot shows this stone and another I cleaned up. This stone is on the bottom in the 2nd shot:



Cleanup method was Simple Green in a heated ultrasonic cleaner. Heated Simple Green works pretty good on its own too though.

Thanks. If it is a washita, what can I expect performance wise? What might the approximate grit be? Any peculiarities? Do you like them?