Mystery hone from antique market

I picked this up for $20 because I knew it was natural and looked greenish. It measures about 1.75" x 7.5" and definitely has a uniform green-gray color, seems like a slate. I just finished cleaning, lapping and chamfering. It's fairly soft (lapping didn't take too long even with some deep scratches).

I just tested it out on one of my shaving razors. The edge afterwards was incredible, and was popping hairs silently right off the stone. This one's definitely a keeper. Any ideas on what it might be? My first thought was Thuringian but I'm not positive. (pics are before lapping was done)

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Looks like a Thuringian to me in the first pic but the others are brown?

I'm no expert on turis, Jimmy should chime in soon, but to me, the first picture looks like a turi, the measurements match also, however, the color on the last three seems odd. Try taking a picture on natural sunlight. It will show its true color.

To me, you just confirm that it's a good stone and that's what matters most to me, since your the one enjoying the shave. If you have a friend with a turi and you could compare the edge of that one with yours, then it will tell you what it is, with more certainty.

Looks like a good gamble paid off! Great find and happy shaves! Double O

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Originally Posted by Double0757

I'm no expert on turis, Jimmy should chime in soon, but to me, the first picture looks like a turi, the measurements match also, however, the color on the last three seems odd. Try taking a picture on natural sunlight. It will show its true color.

To me, you just confirm that it's a good stone and that's what matters most to me, since your the one enjoying the shave. If you have a friend with a turi and you could compare the edge of that one with yours, then it will tell you what it is, with more certainty.

Looks like a good gamble paid off! Great find and happy shaves! Double O

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Not worried about what it is, was just curious. The last pictures were poorly white balanced. The first pic with the flash is closer to what it is, it's grey-green. I'm really happy with the edge it gives, whatever it is. Next thing is to build another wooden case for it.

Does it self-slurry when honing?

Not that I've noticed, but I've only done about 20 passes on the one razor. I'll have to check closer to see what's being released.

Going by the first pic, i would also say its a thuri, perhaps some pics in natural sunlight, with slurry? Thuringian are notorious for a milky white slurry.

The size, color, and slurry all put you in the Y/G Thuringian ballpark. They are soft stones. Especially with the results you've got. Congratulations on the elusive $20.00 antique store Escher/Thury.

P.S. Wanna double your money?

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Not that I've noticed, but I've only done about 20 passes on the one razor. I'll have to check closer to see what's being released.

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That sounds good in my book, if it releases slurry too easy it will be fast but not so fine.
I like them hard as a ... ehh stone!

First pic def looks thuri ...... the size is one that Escher made many stones in. If it has diagonal saw cuts in the sides, maybe a rough hewn look on the back .... that would indicate an Escher. Whatever you call it, as long as it gives an incredible edge, @ $20.00 I'd call it 'lucky'. ;)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

First pic def looks thuri ...... the size is one that Escher made many stones in. If it has diagonal saw cuts in the sides, maybe a rough hewn look on the back .... that would indicate an Escher. Whatever you call it, as long as it gives an incredible edge, @ $20.00 I'd call it 'lucky'. ;)

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Yep, the back of it looks like it was straight off a rock wall, the sides have that sawn look.

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Yep, the back of it looks like it was straight off a rock wall, the sides have that sawn look.

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IME the older Escher labels, with the 4 men, are stuck on there hard. Usually leave residue if they wear off. Almost impossible to remove in routine honing. OTOH, the later labels with & Sohn and 2 men, will come off easily just from normal honing/getting wet. Might very well be a Escher. Congrats.

Looking at the small white scratches on the surface, the color and shining from the pictures, the rough back that you said which is typical and the quite typical size, there is quite a good chance that this is a thuringian!
Congrats.