Navy blue/black honing stone.

Recent purchase from the uk. This natural stone was in fairly rough condition when I received it. Concavity on both flats with reasonably deep grooves suggesting it had been used at some stage with narrow chisels and/or a variety of carving chisels. Stone measures 20cm x 5.5cm x 2.5cm. Its of medium hardness close to 8000 grit, and exhibits an off white to brown slurry. It reminds me a lot of a modern mined German Muller stone, but of a much earlier period in time. Its possible a Blue Thuringian, but am open to other suggestions.

https://www.griffithshavinggoods.com...nt=25756010056

The following photo shows the colour after being freshly flattened with sic 280.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...psedeggcg9.jpg

The next photo shows the colour of the stone after 24 hrs of being flattened. (Same colour as originally received).

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...psitqiuwx5.jpg

The final photo shows the stones slurry after been worked with a chisel.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...psy6jdxao6.jpg

StewieS;

I should make mention that the lubricant used is water. Another feature of this stone is that if not enough water is maintained on the top surface of the stone, the stones surface if prone to fine scratches when the pressure applied by the cutting edge of the tool is not kept even. Not a big deal as these scratches can be later removed by rubbing the surface on a float glass of 400 grit wet & dry, but it does emphasize that some stones are more prone to a higher maintenance than others based on their surface hardness.

StewieS.

I would guess its a Welsh slate, I have plenty 8 x 2 x 1 inches in size, all good stones smiths honing solution works great also, for me anice easy stone to use, some i have, have been in the card board box, branded as Salmen/yellow lake.

Nice stone thanks for sharing, and hope it works well for you.

Thanks for the reply alpa; I wouldn't be using honing oil on this stone. Its responds well to water. I don't think its welsh slate. The top surface feels too gummy when worked, much like the 8000 Muller stone I have in regular use. Appreciate your evaluation.

StewieS.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ake-brand.html

Thats one thread, which does mention the Salmen hones, its more the size and the fact you got the stone from UK, that make me lean towards the Welsh origin of that stone, as mentioned I have a few (5) or so and all look slightly different (not all are branded Salmen etc...) they vary in the fate 8k to 10k/pre finisher as mentioned in the thread, also the fact its vintage and needed a bot of work on it as most of mine the same.
and Blue/black.

That said I have one stone odd shape black in colour not sure what it is but I always use it as a pre finisher paid 50p for it here in UK.

Glad to hear it works well, I tend to use water on mine most of the time also.

The following is another natural stone that's just been re-flattened. Measuring 18cm x 4cm x 1.2cm, its size is more reflective of a razor hone. Both sides have severe undulation suggesting that the parameters needed within honing a razor are somewhat different to that required within sharpening woodwork tools.

The top surface prior to being flattening with 280 sic.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...psavwidus6.jpg

After flattening, the natural features within the stone become much more visible. Its most likely a Welsh Llyn Idwell Grecian Hone. I haven't had time to attempt to grade its grit, but it certainly feels to the touch like an excellent finishing stone.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...psbs2xdlqc.jpg

StewieS;

There is another possible lead to the identity of the darker stone;

Waraho Water Razor Hone

Dark, charcoal black coloured hone. Very similiar in feel to Thuringen stones. The box reads, "This Hone has been produced to meet the demand for an inexpensive yet effective Hone." Made in Great Britain, exact origin unknown.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ea-origin.html

its seems not be like thuringian Material, slurry is darker nearly brown/blackish...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...or-hone-2.html

StewieS;