Quote Originally Posted by ppetresen View Post
This stone, especially when dry, looks really interesting. Has it been lapped flat? Have you tried any of those out on razors yet?

I keep coming back to look at this thread. Between the WOA you've gotten a hold of and Phrank's amazing dual hone and escher there it's a good reminder that I definitely need to go an get myself many more fancy stones to rub steel against.
I have a large woa that had the same circular/elliptical marks as the dry picture. I summise they are from the original lapping apparatus- most likely a rotating steel plate charged with sand.