Thread: Arkansas Hones

Does anyone have any info on Arkansas hones? I found some super cheap hones, but I dont really know anything about them. Check them out! Arkansas | The Perfect Edge

Those look like good prices on some smaller sized stones. Id like to see some larger stones and the model number in the description.

Michael

Here's a thread that might be helpful: http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...-arkansas.html

You haven't lived until you've lapped a hard Arkansas!!

Howard

There is a ton of information on Ark Hones here and on the web. Bottom line is of the naturals, Arks seem to vary the most and only experimentation will reveal the use of your stone. They can vary from one side to the other.

But if you find a finisher… Oh baby you can shave off that edge all day long.

Enjoy the ride.

One other thing, maybe two. Size matters wider more that longer, wider and longer is dependent on your budget. The price of an Ark stone new is generally indicative of its finishing abilities. Though I have bought super finishers on the bay and in flea markets.

Guys are crying about lapping a Nortons, like SirStrop said …OMG. Do yourself a favor lap on loose a progression of silicone carbide, they will trash a diamond plate in minutes, you will get a workout.

Learning to hone is one thing slipping over into the darkside of natural hones is another, you may not find your way back.

The DMTs are no match for either Arkies or Charnleys, the binders that hold the diamonds are just not tough enough.

+1 for SiC slurry on glass. A bit messy but will lap anything even Spyderco stones . You can swap to a diamond plate after 600 grit.

SirStropalot is absolutely on the money with regard difficulty of lapping!

I bought one recently (described as a "black translucent Arkansas stone" by a very reliable tool dealer) and can confirm that they are as hard as hell. After what seemed like hours of flattening on 120 and 360 wet & dry paper I tried it out. I re-honed an already OK razor (finished on a Shapton 12k ceramic) and can confirm that it shaved about the same - in other words the Arky did no harm. I intend to try it as a follow-up to the Norton 8k and see what happens.

I've been on an Arkie binge lately. It isn't intuitive, but if you use a higher grit W/D sandpaper, it works faster. I now start at 800 grit, but see real movement at 1500 grit. Haven't used the silicon carbide powder suggested here but would like to try since I have a few others to lap.

As for the edge I get off the one translucent in use, so far it improves every edge I've tried it on...as far as I can tell. I also sent at least a half dozen arkie finished edges off to others with good reports back. I won't say it's as keen as a jnat edge and as smooth as a cotis, but one or two others have.

Keep in mind I am averaging about two hundred laps on mineral oil on the arkie. One wrong stroke and it's back to the Botan. Still learning what it's capable of. I have another very old translucent and four SB's of various size to test out. That's planned for next week.