Whats under the stone.

[Stewie Simpson]

I received this 2nd hand Natural Sharpening Stone from the U.K. today. As you will see, the stone was covered in a fair bit of grime and oil build up from previous years of use. The stone measures 8" x 2" tapered in thickness from 1 7/8" - 1 5/8".

The stone as received.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0218_zpsn5rvaphk.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0218_zpsn5rvaphk.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0217_zpsdmukaxqe.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0217_zpsdmukaxqe.jpg.html)

After the stone after being flattened on all sides and both ends using 220 sic powder over a float glass.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0219_zps2bvqh6w9.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0219_zps2bvqh6w9.jpg.html)

Stone after final flattening on float glass with 320 & 400 grit w & d, followed by a and wipe over with honing oil.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0223_zpss6qzthwy.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0223_zpss6qzthwy.jpg.html)

Stewie;

[Patrick Chase]

Nicely reconditioned!

Do you have any idea what it is? It almost looks like a block of granite...

[Luke Dupont]

Could it be a Cretan Stone? I'm not sure the correct term for them, but they're kind of a middle-grit stone and are purported to cut quickly as natural stones go.

http://www.coticule.be/the-cafeteria/topic/1934.html

I'd be curious to try one.

Let us hear your impressions when you get around to using it!

[Stewie Simpson]

Once I get to test the stone, I will have a better understanding on its hardness and likely grit size. Early days. More work to do to identify the quarry this stone was likely mined from.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Those who may think that cleaning up after using sic powder on float glass is an overly messy experience, the key is to leave the wet slurry for about 1hr until it changes to a dry crust, then use an ordinary handled paint scraper to remove 99% + of the solid waste. Shovel that into the bin, and your left with only a quick wipe over with a damp cloth.

[Stewie Simpson]

Tested the stone out this morning with a 1" Chisel using the LN Honing Guide. The honing oil application on the stone had too much of a dampening effect on the stones cut, so I removed all the surface oil from the stone using Meth. Spirits, followed by a working over with a finely grit slurry stone. The water achieved far better results, and I have noted this stone as water only. Based on previous experience I rate this stones at 12000 grit(+), making it an excellent extra fine finishing stone.

The following photo shows the finish worked on the primary bevel from this stone

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0224_zps5a081w93.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0224_zps5a081w93.jpg.html)

Testing the cutting edge on hardwood end grain.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0225_zpsb7ngupgu.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20stropping%20block/natural%20honing%20stones%20purchased%20from%20the %20uk/_DSC0225_zpsb7ngupgu.jpg.html)

Stewie;

[Jerry Olexa]

Nice job of bringing it back to life!! Well done

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Jerry.

[Stewie Simpson]

Feedback from other online sources suggest this stone is most likely the blue variant of a Welsh Llyn Idwall Grecian Hone.

Llyn Idwall, near Bethseda

This quarry was the source of the Welsh, or Llyn Idwal, Oilstone. Reputedly very similiar to Charnley Forest Hones, albeit harder, but was in less general use on account of it's being more expensive. Records go back at least as far as 1798 and the quarry still existed in the 1980's. http://straightrazorplace.com/hones/42502-catalogue-hones-based-area-origin.html

Stewie;

[Allan Speers]

It almost looks like marble.

Which makes me wonder, how would Marble work as a sharpening stone? Probably too soft, but you never know.

[Stewie Simpson]

Allan; most likely Marble would be too soft. But that's not to suggest that Marble cant be sourced in different grades of hardness.

Stewie;

[Mel Fulks]

It's been a while since I did any reading on old traditional razor hones ,so I just looked at some photos. Yeah, does look like that's what it is. Thanks for info and photos. That's quite a brick!

[Phil Mueller]

Thanks for that link Stewie. Not an owner of natural stones, but found the quary info very interesting. I have to admit, when I saw Bethesda, my mind immediately went to the biblical pool in Jeruselem. I thought cool, Stewie has a stone from where one of the miracles took place. Then I reread your post...oh well, still a very nice stone you have there (and impressive restoration).

[Stewie Simpson]

Mel & Phil; you are most welcome. Its an interesting journey of understanding.

regards Stewie;