Thread: ID this pretty rock for me?

I found this in my childhood home while cleaning out the basement. I recall my dad using it to sharpen kitchen knives. Its entirely possible that this may have even belonged to the G-dad I never met. It may be horribly dished, and I doubt its a finisher, but I would love to know for my own knowledge, what kind of stone this may be. Its pattern is pretty distinct, so I'm sure one of you guys will have a good idea!

Possibly a hindostan with the layers, good rock for knives that have the bevel set or as a stone right after bevel set. What "grit" would you estimate that one? Could help with identification.

I also think Hindostan. It's another sort of Novaculite (like Arkansas and Charnley Forest hones), mined near Hindostan Indiana. They were often used for headstones. They have that woodlike grain that is so gorgeous. I've never actually handled one but they're my favorite for looks.

In a thread about lapping Arkansas hones, eleblu gave some instructions for prepping the surface of an Arkansas. I've followed them for my Charnley, and it does put a much nicer edge now than when I first bought it.

My best coti also came out of an old, neglected family toolbox. Lucky finds for us.

Hindostan have layering on the sides, the color looks about right, very hard stone, maybe a side pic, pic with slurry?

That's the weirdest-coloured 'Hindostan' that I have ever seen, and my monitor is frequently colour-corrected! It looks purple and lavender-blue to me!

'Hindostan' of course, is the name given to the novaculite that is found in Orange County and they seem to be grey, cream, light-coffee, brownish, tan or an orange-like colour. Another hone was mined in this area, of far coarser grit - like a fine sandstone - and was used by shoemakers.

The rock itself is found in plenty of other locations in the US with a larger colour range - white, greenish-white, blueish-white, even purple-brown - which I have never seen, so I don't know how extreme the colour is, or how subtle. Confusingly the purple/brown one was retailed as 'Chocolate Whetstone'.

BTW, to carry on the Indian analogy that the Hindostan hone proper brings to mind, I believe there is a 'Indian Pond' stone too, in two varieties but not from the same region as the Hindostan Hone.

Regards,
Neil

A very attractive stone. I know it is not a Dalmore Blue, obviously, but the colored bands, the shape of them, reminds me of one of those. I haven't a clue to what it is. Thanks to Neil for making it known that the Hindostan was not only found in Indiana, in the USA. I was under the impression that it was confined to that geological area. I had one BTW. IIRC the bands on mine were only apparent on the sides. The top and bottom were of a uniform color. I'm not sure that this is typical but that is the way mine was.

Thanks guys! I will get more pics later today. There is very obvious banding running the sides of the stone. the wood grain effect on this one is made more extreme by the severe dishing this stone possess. The ends of course being the thickest, have a beautiful "stained wood" color which turns grey as you approach the center (which due to the dishing is also closer to the "center" )

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

That's the weirdest-coloured 'Hindostan' that I have ever seen, and my monitor is frequently colour-corrected! It looks purple and lavender-blue to me!

'Hindostan' of course, is the name given to the novaculite that is found in Orange County and they seem to be grey, cream, light-coffee, brownish, tan or an orange-like colour. Another hone was mined in this area, of far coarser grit - like a fine sandstone - and was used by shoemakers.

The rock itself is found in plenty of other locations in the US with a larger colour range - white, greenish-white, blueish-white, even purple-brown - which I have never seen, so I don't know how extreme the colour is, or how subtle. Confusingly the purple/brown one was retailed as 'Chocolate Whetstone'.

BTW, to carry on the Indian analogy that the Hindostan hone proper brings to mind, I believe there is a 'Indian Pond' stone two, in two varieties but not from the same region as the Hindostan Hone.

Regards,
Neil

The Pike manufacturing made "the chocolate" very popular in the late 1800's, the stone was found in New Hampshire also the white mountain stone came from the same region.

Another stone from vermont called Lamoille stone resemble the chocolate but was mainly used as scythe stones and all part of The pike mfg.

Here are some extra pictures. taken outside in full sun. no color correction on my end. wet corner to bring out the reddish side. backside ground flat is not as monotone as it appears in the photo, but certainly does not show any of the beauty of the dished side. it FEELS medium grit, but it does obtain a bit of a polished surface when prepped as per arky stone. Has a "feedback" not felt in my arks or other finish stones.
I will get a bead on it later this eve with a fresh razor, and find out for certain where this lays in the line up.

Flatten that beast and polish her up and that will be an awesome sight.