Thread: New arrivals - new questions

I have received these 2 hones a few weeks ago from the workshop of an older gentleman from mid-80 (he collects and restores tractors). He got it again about 50-60 years ago from the workshop of a carpenter from Thuringia. I therefore estimate the hones date from before WW II.
*The first hone is quite clear. It is, in my opinion, a Thuringian slate. Size 130 X 40 mm, weight 270g. Smooth surface, medium hard, easy to use. It brings excellent, mild sharpness. Any sugestions?

The second hone is puzzling. From the outside it could be considered a Coticule. Size 180 X 55 mm, weight about 650g. But he is hard, I mean really pretty pretty hard . He is harder than my Ohzuku (ok, this is perhaps not one of the hardest that one can get) but above all, he is also harder than my hitherto hardest rock in the barn, mine Les latneueses hybrid. Its surface is glossy and glashy. I used it with a coticule slurry, with the slurry you could work well. In the course of diluution, the slurry breaks down and becomes a cloudy liquid like oil. With water only one felt a distinct draw, under running water the blade wents sticky. The blade is excellent, it is sharp, gentle, but this typical "coticule feeling" is missing.
Does anyone have a clue, what could be for a hone?
Cheers!

The second looks like novaculite to me. Has it been oiled?

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

The second looks like novaculite to me. Has it been oiled?

No. It was just dusty and smelled of diesel, probably because it was stored between oil flaps

The question then would be how such a Novaculite (Arkansas) could have reached Thuringia.

Originally Posted by eddymerckx

The question then would be how such a Novaculite (Arkansas) could have reached Thuringia.

The same way thuringians reached North America--international commerce.

The first hone appears to be synthetic because of the grainy nature of the chips. Then again it could be some sort of sedimentary rock. I would agree that the second one does not look like a coticule but more like a novaculite.

The 1st one is too coarse for razors, maybe adequate for garden tools etc.
2nd one looks almost like flint to me.

Originally Posted by Utopian

The same way thuringians reached North America--international commerce.

The first hone appears to be synthetic because of the grainy nature of the chips. Then again it could be some sort of sedimentary rock. I would agree that the second one does not look like a coticule but more like a novaculite.

Synthetic? with me? - Devil escaped!

Originally Posted by Kees

The 1st one is too coarse for razors, maybe adequate for garden tools etc.
2nd one looks almost like flint to me.

I have already applied it to an SR. Slurry from a coticule, finish with water only was a very good shave possible - clouse and comfortable

Yup. The first one looks like a medium grit India stone, the second a oily Translucent, should be a finisher.

Lap with 60 grit lose grit Silicone Carbide, flat then work up in grit. GotGrit.com has all you will need for $15.