Thread: Hone Identification - Help

What do I have here, and is it good for straight razor finishing? It is by APEX, and is obviously German but it was sold to me as an Arkansa Stone? Does anyone have any idea what this is?

That is interesting. Especially with the german label. First thing you have to do is clean it up and see what is under all that mess! Or flip it over anyway. Can't really see much of the stone yet.

Yea, clean it up and some clear close up photos would help. Oven cleaner and degreaser will clean it up.

Good clear pics of the broken corner could tell a lot.

It was not uncommon for stones to be rebranded, could be an Ark/ Lilly White Washita or Alox stone. If it is a Lilly White it is a good razor or knife stone, Alox good knife or tool stone.

Arks and Lilly Whites, which are not from Arkansas but considered by many to be Arks, were all the rage before synthetics and many were re-branded.

Or it could be some other novaculite, but if it was good, chances are there would be lots of them around.

Looks small, what is the size.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yea, clean it up and some clear close up photos would help. Oven cleaner and degreaser will clean it up.

Good clear pics of the broken corner could tell a lot.

It was not uncommon for stones to be rebranded, could be an Ark/ Lilly White Washita or Alox stone. If it is a Lilly White it is a good razor or knife stone, Alox good knife or tool stone.

Arks and Lilly Whites, which are not from Arkansas but considered by many to be Arks, were all the rage before synthetics and many were re-branded.

Or it could be some other novaculite, but if it was good, chances are there would be lots of them around.

Looks small, what is the size.

Lilly White is a Washita stone from Arkansas processes and graded by Norton. No?

Yes, but not from Arkansas, Norton mined them from New Hampshire. Apparently, Norton still owns the mine and is still able to produce stones, but shut down production in the 50’s, 60’s.

In 2008, they did a small run for a Woodworking supply, (Tools for Woodworking), and they sold out quickly. They have not produced stones since.

Lilly White are unique novaculite, as they cut fast but are capable of producing a fine finished edge. Back in the day, they were, (and still are) prized stones and re-branded to Europe.

Small stones sell for high prices. Many woodworkers like them because they will not gouge like synthetic water stones will on carving and woodworking tools.

Joel’s Blog, Goodbye Lilly White, Washita. We hardly knew you.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yes, but not from Arkansas, Norton mined them from New Hampshire. Apparently, Norton still owns the mine and is still able to produce stones, but shut down production in the 50’s, 60’s.

In 2008, they did a small run for a Woodworking supply, (Tools for Woodworking), and they sold out quickly. They have not produced stones since.

Lilly White are unique novaculite, as they cut fast but are capable of producing a fine finished edge. Back in the day, they were, (and still are) prized stones and re-branded to Europe.

Small stones sell for high prices. Many woodworkers like them because they will not gouge like synthetic water stones will on carving and woodworking tools.

Joel’s Blog, Goodbye Lilly White, Washita. We hardly knew you.

No, but they may have processed them in New Hampshire. They show up on every early geological survey of Arkansas. I haven't dug through the later ones.

https://books.google.com/books?id=y7...page&q&f=false