Thread: Hard Arkansas

Originally Posted by Phrank

What would be the approximate grit rating of a translucent Arky?

For instance like the one in Jollo's post?

Giving a grit rating to a natural stone is somewhat missleading, the grit varies from stone to stone. Lets just say that particular stone falls into the finisher categories.

It's all about the prep. That stone has probably seen years of steel and been well taken care of.

So it is glass smooth and ready to finish a razor.

Kind of like worn wet and dry, it may be 1k grit but will finish like 1500, who cares what the grit is?

Originally Posted by HardCase

I've followed this conversation with great interest. The finest stone I have now is a norton 8k, which would suit me better a black or a trans? Thanks in advance

Either. They are just names for stones that look different but fall into the same density rating. Arks don't go by grit they go by density which is rated by specific gravity. I don't have a translucent yet but have already ordered one just waiting for it in the mail. However a lot of guys who use both do usually say that there blacks tend to be smoother. I have a surgical black ark which is translucent to a point. This stone is awesome. I mean stupid awesome. Takes a while on the stone but man, you shave your face and just kinda have to do a double take. It also takes a while to lap and break in the stone. If you buy from dans there stones are lapped flat already so all you have to do is break it in which just requires rubbing some harder steel on it till its smooth and shiny. Be aware that this stone will take many many laps.

Thanks! I'll probably just get both though because I like to save on shipping looool. Hi my name is HaRdCaSe and I'm a stone addict

an old hard Arkansas . here it's dry.

somewhat whet. oiled .

perhaps a better angle .

Blistersteel. Looks more like a hindostan or washita

as far is I can tell from its history it was purchased at a woodworkers supply store (this from the original owner) in The north east side of Arkansas .salute .

A washita would be used by woodworkers. They are also not recomended for razors. This is why I mentioned it. Maybe start a thread asking what they might think. Take a pic of the sides also.