Yet another please identify my hone-thread

[Magpie]

The density of slate is between 2.5 to 3.3+, so, is the stone hard like a translucent Arkansas or the purpose of the thread is to compare densities?

The purpose of the thread is to identify the stone and density is a tool in the box of knowledge to help with that. I had no clue slate had that density. The more I read the more I am convinced it is not an arky but one of the slates instead. And the only one I know of that had sticker labels that specified razors were thuries and Special Stones.

[Vasilis]

The purpose of the thread is to identify the stone and density is a tool in the box of knowledge to help with that. I had no clue slate had that density. The more I read the more I am convinced it is not an arky but one of the slates instead. And the only one I know of that had sticker labels that specified razors were thuries and Special Stones.

You could classify TOS as slates as well, and many UK slates, more than five had a label about razor, let alone the "razor sharp edge". If we include that last phrase, every stone that can shave arm hair belongs to the category, and most quality stones from the whole Europe and Americas were sold by some company at some point the last 200 years, and had a label.
If it's a Thuringian, it would be a pity to see so much oil on it, but I don't think it's one. As for the lune stone, it's even less likely to be one.
In the end, the stone shaves or doesn't, that's what matters the most.

[Brontosaurus]

Now I'm curious about the spotting on the end and side of the stones in some of the pictures. Does it appear green or turquoise colored by chance?

The further pictures make me think it might be a vintage Yellow Lake, or maybe the Cumbrian stone I mentioned before. Welsh slates can have green-turquoise spotting like that, and Yellow Lakes can get that dark when oiled.

[Gsssson]

I'll do some cleaning and lapping when I have an opportunity, and get back to you with fresh pictures then!

[Euclid440]

Yea, clean it first. Can’t tell you how many black stones, I have bought hoping they were arks, only to find out they were something else. Fortunately for just a couple bucks.

As said start with a good hosing of oven cleaner, wait a few minutes and hose it again and scrub. Then wash in soapy water, that should at least reveal the color and any pattern.

If you want to get all the oil off it, you must soak in water and degreaser, I use Simple Green and or, Awesome from the dollar store. Some hard stones can take months to release all the oil.

[Steel]

I have lapped many an Arkansas with sandpaper 400/600/800/1000 grits and they have all raised a slurry so not sure how helpful that would be. Maybe the color of the slurry?

[Gsssson]

I've got a little degreaser left over from the good old days before everything went environment friendly. That stuff takes rattlecan paint off and goes thorugh the bottom of plastic soda bottles given a few weeks ( had alot more before I figured that out). To my eyes the stone looks like its showing the natural color, but if you think it's colored by oil I'll hit it with that degreaser and we'll know for sure.

[Vasilis]

I've got a little degreaser left over from the good old days before everything went environment friendly. That stuff takes rattlecan paint off and goes thorugh the bottom of plastic soda bottles given a few weeks ( had alot more before I figured that out). To my eyes the stone looks like its showing the natural color, but if you think it's colored by oil I'll hit it with that degreaser and we'll know for sure.

You might damage the stone. SiO2 acts as an acid, and they might react. Better safe than sorry, use something milder like soap instead.

[Magpie]

You might damage the stone. SiO2 acts as an acid, and they might react. Better safe than sorry, use something milder like soap instead.

I've got a little degreaser left over from the good old days before everything went environment friendly. That stuff takes rattlecan paint off and goes thorugh the bottom of plastic soda bottles given a few weeks ( had alot more before I figured that out). To my eyes the stone looks like its showing the natural color, but if you think it's colored by oil I'll hit it with that degreaser and we'll know for sure.

If I'm not mistaken, Gsssson is talking about Carbon Tetrachloride or maybe Trichlorethylene Shouldnt damage the stone at all, but will certainly damage the lungs, liver, and braincells!