Thread: Found something that'll interest the natural stone junkies

https://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...e-zmaz83mazraw

I have lived in NC my whole life and never knew anything about this place. I think I might try to find it soon.

Sounds like a fun trip/project/experiment.

The experience will be worth it even if any stones you find are not.

I found a layer of shale along the Mississippi around here that sounded like fun. It didn't work well and I think that that might have been because it was weathered. But I am not going to dig 10 feet into the side of a city park hill to find out if that makes a difference....

Haha yea good call. I'm not sure I'd be willing to dig 10 feet into my own property just to test a theory. Much less public land. I dunno when I'll be able to make it to the area where the quarry is, being that it's about three hours from home, but I definitely intend to take a trip out there. Hopefully I'll end up with something usable, even if it turns out to be a good mid range. I'd love to find a nice finisher and knowing it's a local abundant source and not just a fluke would make finding it that much better. I've found a few pieces that were interesting in the mountains, but always just miscellaneous stuff that could've come from anywhere.

That's been posted here before. This one's good too:

https://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...e-zmaz83mazraw

State by state guide of rock hunting possibilities.

If I remember correctly, the mine is about half way up the western side of McCauley mountain. There is a gravel road that will get you within about a 30 minute walk to mine and there is a good path to follow. I can't remember if the mine is on private land or if you have to cross private land to get to it, but we did get permission from an older gentleman up on the mountain to hike in there and get a few rocks. I probably have a map somewhere with the exact directions. I'll see if I can find it.

Two years ago I was at a flea market in the Neville Chapel area and there was guy that had some McCauley stones already cut and lapped for a sale at a reasonable price.

Oh, the stones that I have from there are comparable to an Arkansas Washita.

If you could find that map or maybe even post a screenshot of google maps in satellite view that would be fantastic. I don't know much about the area in question. I think the closest I've ever been to the area is probably I-40. I'd really like to get my hands on some of the rock uncut to get an idea of what constitutes a good hone throughout the process. I've found some interesting stones in the past but nothing that I'd put a razor on after it was lapped. This way, maybe I can save myself some trouble by knowing before it's finished that it isn't worth finishing.

Even if the stone is unusable for razors, it's really nice keeping your pocket and kitchen knives in shape on a stone that you picked from the ground.

I love these threads! I can't imagine anything more fun than "mining" your own stone and actually using it as well!

I'd base a holiday around it... but then, I have more time off than most. Either way, I'd love to mine and use one.

Originally Posted by earcutter

I love these threads! I can't imagine anything more fun than "mining" your own stone and actually using it as well!

I'd base a holiday around it... but then, I have more time off than most. Either way, I'd love to mine and use one.

I've often wondered if there is anything worth going after in the flint hills.

Originally Posted by Krazymonkeys

If you could find that map or maybe even post a screenshot of google maps in satellite view that would be fantastic. I don't know much about the area in question. I think the closest I've ever been to the area is probably I-40. I'd really like to get my hands on some of the rock uncut to get an idea of what constitutes a good hone throughout the process. I've found some interesting stones in the past but nothing that I'd put a razor on after it was lapped. This way, maybe I can save myself some trouble by knowing before it's finished that it isn't worth finishing.

I'll dig around this weekend and see if I can find the map.
The article by Roy Underhill has some hints to the location in it, but it also has some misleading information in it - probably done on purpose to keep the quarry's location somewhat obscure. You can google earth the area though. McCauley mountain is just to the west of Chapel Hill, NC. On the east side of the mountain is University lake, on the west side, not a lot, but look for Neville Chapel.