Hone identification please

Hello, I found this slab of dark rock in a junk box at a flea market for a buck.

Attachment 254988

60x phone photo of Sheffield steel razor edge, with dust
Attachment 254987
It seems to be of a soft layered slate. The scratch pattern is the same as a dark Thuringian I have. It is fast cutting. I just flattened the back of it as it had been used as a hone before and was well dished. It may have been used with oil but it slurries well, dark grey, with just water.
It may behoove us to pick up hones when found cheaply?
~Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Hello, I found this slab of dark rock in a junk box at a flea market for a buck.

Attachment 254988

60x phone photo of Sheffield steel razor edge, with dust
Attachment 254987
It seems to be of a soft layered slate. The scratch pattern is the same as a dark Thuringian I have. It is fast cutting. I just flattened the back of it as it had been used as a hone before and was well dished. It may have been used with oil but it slurries well, dark grey, with just water.
It may behoove us to pick up hones when found cheaply?
~Richard

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Do you think you can get some pictures in sunlight and some using that magnifying device? It should help if we can see the grain!

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Thank you! All I need is some sunlight around here....fog!
~Richard

I always pick up stray hones that are cheap. Somebody has got to give them a home! At first glance that one looks similar to some found in the wild (dug from the ground, not an antique shop) slate I use that works very well indeed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eKretz

I always pick up stray hones that are cheap. Somebody has got to give them a home! At first glance that one looks similar to some found in the wild (dug from the ground, not an antique shop) slate I use that works very well indeed.

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Thank you!
The fingernail test is my finder; if I can't feel a grit, I buy it!
~Richard