Thread: Turkey Stone Research

Hello all,

I work at a historic site in Pennsylvania, and we're setting up an 18th Century woodworking shop. One of the things we'd like to demonstrate are period sharpening techniques, as there are few other sites who actually do this.

In our research, we've hit a wall: finding turkey stones. Almost every joiner's inventory from the period lists a "turkeystone", as well as the Pennsylvania Gazette, which has numerous ads from turkeystones.

Now I know that there were numerous stones which bore the name turkeystone, I believe they likely refer to the novaculite like chert from the south western Anatolia. Like these:



Now, does anyone know of a source of these?
I'd like to get an example, in part to use, but also to bring to a geologist for analysis. In theory, considering the commonality of these stones in the 18th century, there may be some left underground, and I'd like to try to find a modern source for them. (my current theory is that they might be mined as an onyx today, as it should be fairly similar in terms of silica content and grain)

Any help would be greatly appreciated, it's been fun to research and just reading posts here has been very helpful.

-Gabe

I was curious since I've never heard of these and when I googled them I found an old thread on this site that discusses Turkeys a bit. It doesn't give a modern source, but it has some interesting info.
Asking about turkey stones a few days for Thanksgiving...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ne-turkey.html

Hi Gabe;
Welcome to SRP. This may give you fuel for thought.. Elounda Online, Eloundaweb and travel guide to Elounda village, Crete, Greece It has been called by many names. There should be enough around to source some.
Mike

note: The stone darkens when loaded with oil.

Cant help ya Gabe but i will say... welcome to SRP!

Modine,
What's the best way to find Elounda stones, are they different from just the normal Cretan stones which are commercially available?

Griffith Shaving carries them I believe.

Cheers, Steve

I bought one of the cretan stones shown above a couple of years ago, and then one of the darker more marked turkish oilstones. The former is a bit more coarse and the latter finer, but they are both fast cutting and if you put anything laminated on them, they'll shed particles like crazy. Solid steel razors and light pressure, maybe not so much, but I don't use them for that.

In Pennsylvania (where I am and where I grew up), I have never seen a turkish oilstone. It's common to find washitas around here, and depending on what part of the state, really common to find india stones left over since they were the favorite of machinsits, etc. If you're near Pittsburgh, you'll find leftovers from tool and die shops, but less along the lines of woodworking stuff that you'll find in Central PA.

That said, there are plenty of people in PA, antique dealers included, who use the term "turkey stone" for washitas. That includes very knowledgeable dealers who deal in 18th century stuff. There is some chance that older literature talking about turkey stones may be referring to washita stones.

The other thing common around here is cheap slate hones fitted to boxes as if they were nicer stones, and I think those were probably a matter of economic necessity for some. They're junk, though.

(as with anywhere else, you run across Coticules and other common commercial items from the 20th century - including eschers. But never a turkish oilstone that I can recall).

I haven't seen any new make fractured looking all black stone that is of the darker and finer type. the old texts refer to a light or white version and a darker version and state that both are fine as finishing hones but the latter is finer. In my tiny sample, the difference in fineness is fairly stark. Like 4k stone vs. 7k stone. But the dark turkish stones in good shape often go for a mint and really don't have historical use for razors. Holtzappfel referred to turkey stones as a favorite for really hard irons (since they're friable - arkansas stones are slower, but with modern niceties, we can slurry them and make them fast - a turkey stone is like that all the time with laminated tools).

Dave,

From the research I'v been able to do I'm fairly certain the mid 18th Century "Turkey Stones" were imported from overseas, as there are references to them being brought by boat from Europe.

I think the reason why so few exist in the US today is that Arkansas Novaculite, being domestic, cheaper, and of equal (or some would claim greater) quality that they simply priced out the imported stones. But that wouldn't seem to have begun in earnest until the 1820s/30s.

It's good to know about Turkeystones and laminated tools, we're going to making a set of laminated chisels and plane irons on site and if we can get our hands on a good stone it sounds like it'll be a joy to work with.

Thanks for your insight!

Before WWI, Crete was part of the Ottoman Empire. Thus, stones mined in Crete prior to this event would have been called Turkish oil stones. After WWI, Crete became part of Greece, so the Turkish name no longer applies.

The Cretan oil stone is novaculite.

If you are interested: Matt at Griffith Shaving Goods sells them. He is a great supplier. He also sells on eBay as Matt68, but prices are the same on the Griffith Shaving Goods web site. If you have questions, email Matt directly; he is good about responding.

Originally Posted by Gchristyuscg

Modine,
What's the best way to find Elounda stones, are they different from just the normal Cretan stones which are commercially available?

Hi Gabe;

Turkish Oil stones start out white and darken when soaked in oil. Sometimes referred to as “burnt Naxos” due to the mining process of emery. There are different grades depending on what performance characteristics you are looking for. I have worked only with vintage stone and have not tested the currently available Cretan stones on the market and would exercise caution in comparing any natural stone.

https://www.mindat.org/article.php/1...Mines+of+Naxos
Mike