Originally Posted by
A_S
Just to clarify, the figure is actually in the stone and not just dried slurry? If it is, then Oldengaerde most likely nailed it with the Dalmore Blue. As far as the colour is concerned, whilst it's known as the Dalmore Blue it's actually a pale grey sandstone. Your description of it's "glitteryness" certainly fits with the DB, or any other sandstone for that matter, as well. OTOH, I certainly wouldn't say that the DB was particularly hard, even allowing for natural variation. Also, you seem to be fairly knowledgable when it comes to hones, but when you say that this stone is fine could you clarify just how fine you think it is. I wouldn't think that the DB could ever be classed as very fine. You say you have a couple of Dragon's Tongue hones, I would think that these are most likely to be finer than any DB. So, either you have a one in a million Dalmore Blue, or it's something else.
On the subject of your girlfirend's Scottish family, it may be well worth your while calling in a professional negotiator, as there are some nice stones coming from Scotland which would be well worth checking out. As well as the stones coming from The Tam O Shanter & Water of Ayr Honeworks, particularly the rarer White TOS, there are a couple of very interesting hones from elsewhere. Enterkine Quarry, also in Ayrshire, produced a pale-grey and very hard mudstone. Mudstones should have an abrasive particle size <0.005 mm so would be very fine. Also, there is a laminated marble, extracted from the bed of the River Fiddich in Banffshire, which sounds promising.
Kindest regards,
Alex