Thread: Hone ID Help

I just purchased an interesting stone that was found in a barn with a bunch of straights and other shave gear. Not really sure what it is. It cleaned up pretty well, but it certainly took more time to lap than I was expecting (the DMT took a hit).









The stone seems pretty hard and the grit seems very fine. After honing a practice razor with a 1,000 grit Chosera to set the bevel, I then jumped to my new stone and I could no longer see much (if any) evidence of the Chosera after using the ax method. The stone with a light slurry produced swarf quickly (within 15-20 strokes). The stone does not seem to produce a slurry on its own.

I will do a little more testing this weekend and then hone one of my straights to see what kind of shaving edge I get from it. If it works as good as it looks I think I'll have a winner! If not, I'll have a cool looking paper weight!! Based on my quick test last, I'm very intrigued/optimistic about this stone. Based on a little comparison with other stones and suggestion of others perhaps its a Grecian or Llyn idwal ?? I just haven't found a perfect match. I would love to learn more about it's potential origin, honing characteristics, etc.

Thanks in advance!

I think you're on the right track, LI or grecian. My LI doesn't slurry well at all and was very hard to lap flat. Similar light green with wavy speckled pattern in it too.

*edit - I also read in my research that Llyn Idwals will strip diamonds out of the DMT, so might want to be more cautious with that one

Update - I finally had some time to work with this interesting stone and honed up a Wade Butcher using this stone as my finisher. The shave was plenty close but not as comfortable as I'd like. Especially as compared with the same razor finished with my nakayama kiita koppa. Therefore I would think this stone is more a pre-finisher, perhaps something similar to an 8k synthetic. I still thinks this is a cool looking, unique welsh stone that will be used in my honing progression in some manner.

Thanks for sharing, it's some kind of British or Scotch stone. Are you using oil on the stone?
Mike

Looks like a Tam o Shanter Scotch, to me.

They, LI and TOS are very hard, and will trash a Diamond plate. Lose Silicone Oxide is the way to go, you can finish on diamonds to save a plate.

Try cleaning your plate with a stiff brush and cleanser, it may just be clogged.

Some TOS can finish, some are better for tools and knives, try a thin Diamond plate slurry, thin to clear water and Smith’s, Ballistol or thinned soap works well. Once clean oil works well and will wash off with dish soap when done.

Nice looking hammer…