Help.. is this a shaft straightener/abraider?

[digi-shots]

This was found a few years back in an area that was littered with pottery shards (Woodland), hammer stones And a few points.

It has a channeled groove on both sides about the width of a pencil. Shaft straightener?

Thanks for looking!

 

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[dognose]

I have never found an abrader like this in my many years of hunting relics.

Just extrapolating from spades and hoes with use polish from the grasses and earth they were used on, I would think some sort of use polish would be seen in the groove used to apply the abrasion to the shaft.

This appears to be a metamorphic rock - possibly Schist, so it's possible that some softer stone was in those areas and weathered out over thousands of years. I could be incorrect on the rock, since this is from the image only.

But that is my thoughts, I have not really looked at any abraders at any relic shows. But now that my curiosity is up on this, I will look around in Collinsville show next month.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

IMO, it is natural, there should be signs of being used, should have some signs of polish and none appear in picture and the channel doesn't appear to be straight or used.

 

[antmike915]

I think it's natural as well, I'm not seeing enough evidence of it being modified by man. Don't blame you for picking it up and posting pictures.

 

[digi-shots]

Thanks.. I’ll see if I can find out if “schist” is readily found in the area.

I don’t really see any “polish” but the groove is super, super smooth to the touch.

I took a closer look and saw another groove that’s at a right angle.. it’s very hard to photograph but I did wet the groove as you can see in the photo.

 

[Tdog]

My $.02... Shaft straighteners require material that will hold up to and retain heat. Many found are broken due to getting fire cracked after repetitive use. Soapstone is a common material out west but not sure of the preferred material here in the east. All will show evidence of being in a fire regardless.

 

[digi-shots]

Couple more photos..

this other groove is so faint you can barely see unless you look from the side with the light just right.

 

[GB Paleo]

Out in my area we do have soapstone straighteners that were heated and used but we also see some rougher, tougher stone used to smooth the arrow shafts. I've seen a couple of a similar stone to yours but from the pictures I'm torn 50/50 on if its natural or NA made. Pumice is ma volcanic stone used here more like sandpaper would be used. In my opinion yours might have been used something like that if it is indeed NA.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Sorry, still no signs of being used or worked in new pictures posted.

 

[digi-shots]

Thanks.. I appreciate it!