Thread: Hone identification

Hi, I have acquired what I feel is a very interesting stone. I have seen one other like it for sale on the Bay but I can't seem to find any info on these. It is black with a very sparkly/glittery surface. One side has what I'd guess to be the original owners name scratched in the surface that appears natural. It's a very fine and very dense hone I fact I'd say almost Arkansas dense but not nearly that hard. To me I am just happy to have this piece of history and to have the chance to share it but I would love to know more. I figured since I have seen a couple that maybe some of you may know something. I am posting pictures dry, wet, slurry, etc. thanks


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Clearly looks like a slate - but impossible to say which origin.
Thanks for posting!

No way to say for sure, as Peter mentioned, but I do have a labeled Silkstone that shares the same naturally formed bottom. The other characteristics fit also (slight sparkles, slurry color). Silkstones are very high density - they "ping" when tapped with something like a hard screwdriver handle or razor spine at a very high pitch (not quite at Arkansas level but pretty high) to give you another check. So it is possible that you may have a Silkstone, but by no means positive.

Here are my two Silkstones, both labeled examples. A couple other characteristics are the slightly mottled surface pattern and the distinctive sawcuts. (I've seen examples with and without visible sawcuts though - some must have been flattened/smoothed). These are both 8" x 2" x 1".

I am so thankful for the help guys! I am certain after som research that I in fact have a silk stone. 100% on par with all the characteristics I have found! You guys are the best! Thanks again


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So what I am seeing in past discussions is that silk stones are a decent finisher. Not as smooth as a thuringian, though comparable but more on par with a woa hone? My first instinct was to try it as a pre finisher after 8k then one of my Escher/thuringian hones? I know you both have experimented with silk stones can you guys give me your input on them? Thanks again


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Originally Posted by JamesSr

I am so thankful for the help guys! I am certain after som research that I in fact have a silk stone. 100% on par with all the characteristics I have found! You guys are the best! Thanks again


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Hi James,

so I am not certain that your stone is indeed a Silkstone. I do have 3 or 4 Silkstones in my collection but non of them show these glittering sparks. These are either larger particles of quarzite or iron oxide/sulfite. At least the Silkstones I have do not show any sparks like yours.

Originally Posted by hatzicho

Hi James,

so I am not certain that your stone is indeed a Silkstone. I do have 3 or 4 Silkstones in my collection but non of them show these glittering sparks. These are either larger particles of quarzite or iron oxide/sulfite. At least the Silkstones I have do not show any sparks like yours.

I must have been mistaken about the sparkles, I thought that was an indicator? Anyway it seems to have a lot of the characteristics of silk stone. I guess the mystery continues.


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You haven't tried it yet? Give it a go and see what it acts like

Mine shows sparkle, but it was never proved to be a silkstone. The card sleeve had no readable writing, but looked very similar to the cambrock sleeves. Think it's an 8" x 2" x 0.5" stone from memory.

The Sparkle is really hard to photograph, There is actually far more than the images show.

As for using it, I find mine doesn't give great edges. The 8K superstone is superior.