Thread: Hone-stone from South Africa!

Originally Posted by Jasper Kade

Hi Maskwa,
Thanks for the input. I too came to the conclusion that what I have here is a type of phyllite/phyllite schist. I've also read the vikings used this type of stone as a whetstone, so the right properties are there for this to be a good hone, provided the particle size is fine enough.. but from my own testing it certainly has no obvious garnet inclusions that would hinder or diminish honing ability - in fact, I don't think what I have would even fall into the category of 'garnet schist' where I'd imagine one would find these larger particles perhaps... The phyllite I have is mostly a super fine clay matrix comprised of mica and quartz I'd imagine among other trace elements presumably. The main thing though is that the stone is very uniform in it's makeup, there are no irregular bits at all, and when lapped the stones are silky smooth - I mean almost Escher smooth to be honest, and as said before from my use of the hone it 'feels' very much like a finishing hone, and it can take a barely shaving edge right to hair popping, and so for me there's no real debate actually as to it's effectiveness as a hone. I'm really interested to know what the grit rating is closer to and what Jimmy and Sham feel about how it performs and if they'd deem my hones to be worthwhile to other members.
So I think these stones fit into this umbrella group of phyllite schists, but there would appear to be many variations of actual mineral content, making these natural stones difficult to pionpoint their make-up based on a visual inspection alone.
Also thanks for the offer to further analyse a sample for me, but I've already got two members who will be putting them through the realworld test of honing razors, ultimately this is what I think we are all most interested to hear the results of.. If the feedback is positive, I'll have the geology department of our local university run proper tests on a sample to help me source more of it perhaps.
It's also funny you ask about Port Shepstone, as I'm here right at this very moment on a short break with my wife...But so no, the stone I have is from the interior of KZN - Pietermaritzburg to be precise. May I ask why you mention Port Shepstone? How do you know about my neck of the woods?

Regards
- Mike

Well, it looks like you have done your homework. Fantastic. It will be very interesting to see how the stone performs as a hone. The practical use is obviouly the ultimate test.

As for how I know about your neck of the woods. I looked up Kwa-Zulu Natal on a Geological map, then I looked for where these rock types might occur in your region. Those are the areas I came up with, assuming you found the stone near your home location. I'm a sleuth. lol