Thread: Norton Arkansas Oil Stone, Another question from a honing newbie

So far I have built my hone arsenal to include the King 1000, Norton 4/8, Black Arkansas Hard stone, a few DMT plates and a rather frustrating Norton Flattening stone.

Next up is another stone left to me by my Dad.. A Norton Abrasives, Hard Arkansas Oil Stone. I haven't done anything to prep it as yet, because I want to hear from you more experienced folks as to whether it can fit in my arsenal and if so, where. It's on the smallish side compared to the others, at just about 5" (it's more like a Barber's Hone size, which is something I don't have as yet). Grit is not specified, so we'll have to go by the description on the inside cover... Any feedback on it's value for straight honing, and if so, how to use it best?

What you have there is a Black Hard Arkansas. Some say it is finer than the translucent and others say the trans if finer. IME, with the same stone you have there, it is real nice for a finisher on a razor with light oil such as Smiths. Real nice. BTW, Norton/Pike did not label translucents or Blacks as anything but "Hard Arkansas" IME. Here are mine;

Mike

You have to try it to know if it’s a finisher. Check it to see if it is reasonably flat and smooth. Clean it with some Simple Green or similar degreaser and a Scotch Brite sponge. If it was used to hone chisels, plane blades or other hard steel it may be prepped smooth for you, those old Black Arks are golden.

I would not worry about size, looks like a 2.5 or 2 in width. That is a fine size for razor finishing you will have to do more laps, but that’s ok. I like that size for doing circles, then finish with X pattern laps to blend and finish.

If it’s a little rough, hone some kitchen knives with pressure to smooth it out. Do not lap unless it absolutely needs it.

Used with oil was de rigueur in the day, I used to use kerosene and mineral oil. It is messy and smelly. I switched to water and soap years ago, but now use water and Smith’s Honing Solution with great results.

Nice stone. Hone a razor and shave it.

Thank you both for responding... So, would there be much difference in the Lile Black Ark I have, also from my father?

The Norton one is half the size of the Lile and there is a slight belly in it on the long dimension. Flat as a board on the narrow. If it compliments my Lile, I'll put some work into getting it flat, otherwise I would leave it as it and stick to the Lile as a finisher.

I have very light machine oil (also from my Dad) that works really well on the Lile, but lather/water would be far less messy.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

Thank you both for responding... So, would there be much difference in the Lile Black Ark I have, also from my father? .

No experience with the Lile here. I would say, a rose is a rose is a rose ........ IOW, give it a try.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

No experience with the Lile here. I would say, a rose is a rose is a rose ........ IOW, give it a try.

I hear you.. thanks.

The challenge is, I don't know what I don't know and I'm not really sure what I am looking for when using it. I think I'll just leave it alone for a while and work with what I have.

I am frequently in Brooklyn, if you ever want, for the fee of a cup of coffee and a donut, I would be happy to bring some practice blades and work the stones with you for a bit.

Or, there is an upcoming meet-up event, where you could talk/work with a whole passel of folks who love honin and shavin!

Mike

Also not familiar with Lile’s stones, he most probably was rebranding stones, hard to say who quarried them and when.
So you will just have to try them and compare. Natural stone are all different, some from one side to the other. So you just have to see.
When you say there is a deviation in the length, how much? A slight rise is ok as long as the razor stays flat on the stone. The razor will ride the hump without negative impact.

Smooth is what you want, no ridges. If it is smooth, try it. You might check the other side. I have bought a few trashed, dished hones, I just flip them over on the backside and lap smooth.

Oil works but is messy, water and dish soap in a plastic squirt bottle works too.

Just hone a razor and shave, see if it improves your edge.

As usually with naturals. They can vary a lot one from the other even from same quarry/ batch. As is was already said have a go, have fun and you will see. Probability that you have very good hone is high. What else you can ask for?

Originally Posted by Magpie

I am frequently in Brooklyn, if you ever want, for the fee of a cup of coffee and a donut, I would be happy to bring some practice blades and work the stones with you for a bit.

Or, there is an upcoming meet-up event, where you could talk/work with a whole passel of folks who love honin and shavin!

Sure, I would love to do that. Let me know next time you visit.
There has been some talk of a Long Island GTG. That would be awesome too.

I did my first hone yesterday but haven't shaved with it yet. Used the 4/8 and the Lile. I don't have high hopes, but we all start someplace!!

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Mike

Also not familiar with Lile’s stones, he most probably was rebranding stones, hard to say who quarried them and when.
So you will just have to try them and compare. Natural stone are all different, some from one side to the other. So you just have to see.
When you say there is a deviation in the length, how much? A slight rise is ok as long as the razor stays flat on the stone. The razor will ride the hump without negative impact.

Smooth is what you want, no ridges. If it is smooth, try it. You might check the other side. I have bought a few trashed, dished hones, I just flip them over on the backside and lap smooth.

Oil works but is messy, water and dish soap in a plastic squirt bottle works too.

Just hone a razor and shave, see if it improves your edge.

It has a slight belly in it right in the center, so as you draw through a stroke it travels into a small, gentle hollow.. I'll post a pic. It's glass smooth and no ridges. To work the other side, I would have to pry it out of the box and then contend with the adhesive residue. It's glued to the bottom half of the box.

Originally Posted by adrspach

As usually with naturals. They can vary a lot one from the other even from same quarry/ batch. As is was already said have a go, have fun and you will see. Probability that you have very good hone is high. What else you can ask for?

After finishing my first honing last night, my fear of doing damage is now slightly less. I can give it a few passes on the stone and examine the edge pattern with a little more confidence now.