Any info on what this stone could be?

[Ssandstorms]

This was my grandfathers. That I know of he didn't do any SR work but he did do knife work. It feels really smooth. At least as smooth as the "fine" side of the dubl duck hone, but I think it's finer.
What's your guesses? I think it might be a black Arkansas whetstone
TIA

 

[David]

Hard to say for sure. Can you post a few more pics?

 

[Ssandstorms]

Nothing that I see showing identification to a brand. It was in his old toolbox along with other whetstones mostly between 800 and 1000 grit.
There was a oilstone in a wooden case as well... Don't remember the brand, but this stone is peaking my curiosity it's significantly finer grit then everything else in the toolbox.

 

[David]

I'm gonna say natural for sure, but I don't think Arkansas. A slate maybe?

 

[SliceOfLife]

I'd agree, black slate. Not much to go on... maybe give it a simple green soak and see if the color or texture changes any. A lot of black slates out there.

 

[Ssandstorms]

I'd agree, black slate. Not much to go on... maybe give it a simple green soak and see if the color or texture changes any. A lot of black slates out there.

Soak it in simple green?

 

[SliceOfLife]

I would. Probably won't do much, but could change the color a little if there's a bunch of oil/swarf built up on it.

 

[Ssandstorms]

I'll do this and let you know

 

[Ssandstorms]

Update on the mystery stone. I finally remembered to put it into simple green
Almost immediately a few layers of dirt revealed a lighter grey/blue color to both surfaces.
The sides also look less of a uniform color. Without a doubt I'd say its natural and one stone not two different faces
.

 

[Ssandstorms]

Thoughts?

 

[Ssandstorms]

bump.
Does anyone have an idea what this is?

 

[David]

A mystery slate is about all I can tell you. Try it and see how you like it. You might be surprised.

 

[life2short1971]

Yellow lake?

 

[Ssandstorms]

So after a bunch of unrelated razor topics distracting me, I finally noticed this tiny little hone in my cabinet again.

I decided to give it a go. I used my "test" razor a M. Jung No. 80 that I have restored. The edge was previously brought to a Naniwa 12k.
The hair test on that edge (12k) was strange, it wouldn't snap the hair but would slice them.

I sprayed the mystery hone with diluted Krud Kutter and did about 50-100 very short x passes. Eventually I felt the razor really slow down against the hone. Stroped on canvas then leather. The HHT was better than the 12k. About the same as my coticule edge blade!

Shaved off of it afterwards and I'd say about the same as my coticule. No 12k "bite" where it seems like I feel all the hairs being shaved...

Don't know if this information helped determine this mystery stone but I am mildly impressed. I'll add a couple pictures of the hone with Krud kutter. Oh and when it was honing it did start making a slurry of some sort, I could only tell because it was a slightly iridescent color.

 

[Ssandstorms]

I lapped each side down with 300 and 600 it revealed more of the blue/iridescent grey that I had seen with the slurry.