Stone ID

[CJBianco]

OK, gentlemen. I'm having a hard time identifying this stone, and I'm hoping you can help me. Here is what I know about it:

1. Vintage (well-used and came with a couple of old Swaties)
2. Natural
3. Soft
4. Very Fine
5. Smells Earthy

If it weren't for the speckling, I'd swear it was just another vintage Thuringian. It smells, feels (soft and velvety), and shaves just like one, and it even has the typical saw marks on the side and ends, along with the rough never-finished bottom. But it's not a Thuringian because it has speckles. So what is it?

(PHOTO: From top to bottom--C12K, unknown, Faso German Water Hone.)

Thanx,
Christopher

[CJBianco]

(PHOTO: With slurry, wet and dry.)

Thanx,
Christopher

[regularjoe]

Well, I don't know really. I just wanted to register my discontent with the statement "just another vintage thuringian". lol. I wish I could find just one vintage thuringian. :P

[Martin103]

Well with the info provided i would say its english slate. Is it purple any inclusions on it if so what color?

[CJBianco]

The stone is a medium gray (the speckles are a lighter gray) and there are no inclusions.

Christopher

[111Nathaniel]

My belgium blue stone has speckles. But with that crack looking like it does it looks like a slate and not like the BBW. The slurry looks just like my purple slate hone. Take a look at this thread: Purple slate

[CJBianco]

Well, this is definitely not a BBW, so that is easily ruled out. And this stone/slurry is not purple, simply gray (white dry). I'm stumped.

Christopher

[Vasilis]

I agree it is not a BBW. I have seen this stone somewhere, but I'm not sure where. Maybe in my drawer with the rest of them . The color of the slurry and the speckles means its not thuringian. It should be a good hone, that's what matters the most.

[CJBianco]

But with that crack looking like it does...

Yes, the crack is unfortunate, as it goes straight thru the middle almost 3/4 the length of the stone. The good news is that I'm thinking of taking it to a stone-cutter and having them slice thru the crack and make it TWO stones. =) I'm thinking of then mounting them to hardwood bases, keeping one and donating the other to SRP.

It's a pretty stone, and a big one too at around 11" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/2", so I'm happy to add it to my little collection. (Of course, the mounted stone would only be about 1/2" thick.)

Thanx,
Christopher

[Vasilis]

Nooooo! I don't like people cutting stones for any reason, even if its for donation. keep it whole. If it brakes, that's another matter. But hones are sacred! Don't desecrate them!