Hmmm..Purple pool table slate.

[Logan09]

Story time. So, this has been intriguing me for a while. I've got some pool table slate on my property that was used on the floor of a wood shed. From what I heard it was taken from the old "clubhouse" across the street that was torn down in the late 40s. So, I'm guessing this slate must be from a pre 1920s pool table.

Anyways, it being purple always made me wonder what it was. I've seen the green vermont slate, but never this. I decided to cut a piece off just out of curiosity. Is it even possible it could be a Welsh stone(being in the U.S)

Compared to a Belgian Blue.

 

[stringer]

I have seen a few. I don't have much info to add. They are generally soft and fine.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

According to this, it may come from the Northeast:

https://www.fickbros.com/the-origin-of-north-american-roofing-slates/

 

[cotedupy]

Umm... you get purple slate in a huge number of countries. It probably will have been from the US if that's where you found it, the link HHC put above can probably tell you more.

And as a sharpening stone - it's likely to be quite similar wherever it's from. I.e. really quite good for razors, less good for knives but will put a very fine finish on one if you want.

Looks great! .

 

[Logan09]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense. Yup, its harder and finer compared to the other slates I have i.e, pretty useless unless you want a very fine edge..

 

[stringer]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense. Yup, its harder and finer compared to the other slates I have i.e, pretty useless unless you want a very fine edge..

With a little slurry it might work for polishing. I'm no polishing expert. But I would imagine that for knives that's the most plausible use case.

 

[cotedupy]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense. Yup, its harder and finer compared to the other slates I have i.e, pretty useless unless you want a very fine edge..

Sounds about right yep. I've not tried all the various kinds myself, but I have it on quite good authority that wherever they're from they tend to be almost indistinguishable in terms of formation, composition and effect. I.e. La Lune, Llyn Melynllyn, Vermont purple, bit of pool table &c. are all near enough the same thing.

You could try polishing with it, but I've never had much luck with slates myself. You'd need to work it with heavy mud and seriously light pressure.