Thread: Hard Arkansas

Originally Posted by Blistersteel

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 .

It is either a hard arkansas or a washita. The density will tell you which. If the density is below 2.3 specific gravity, it's probably a washita, especially since it's devoid of mottling (which increases density). lilywhites that I've measured have been in the range of 2.1 specific gravity, well below anything usable of arkansas stones.

I fit in to the woodworker label mentioned above. Washitas and arkansas stones are a bit different, as opposed to the commentary that washitas are coarse and arkansas stones are fine, there is a bit more variability to a washita stone. I'd summarize my thoughts as follows.
* washita stones have a wider range.
* the labeled clear washitas without mottling (lilywhite, etc) tend to be coarse stones that were prized because they were fast cutting and sharp enough for woodworking, but could be used for a while such that they cut finer - certainly sharp enough for a plane iron to shave hair on an arm. I find that even settled in they are
* the unlabeled washitas, especially older ones, often are a bit tighter of pit, and if bought for a song, can be a servicable razor hone *but they have to be properly prepared or used for a while*. They will not be a match for a translucent or black arkansas stone, but they can be used to get a keen comfortable edge (albeit with a steeper learning curve).

In a world where black and translucent stones are available, I wouldn't buy a washita type stone to finish a razor, but if I had one already, I'd be willing to see what I could settle it into. I've got a couple that will finish a razor and give a comfortable shave, and a few (of the lilywhite type) that I just don't favor for razors because they have too big and too coarse of pores.

As is the case with any marginal stone, I find washitas work best as follows:
* work up the razor with your regular stroke
* strop it
* take about 20 strokes with heavy oil as lightly as you can (i mean really, as lightly as you can, and without letting the oil run away on the stone - the barrier is useful)
* linen and strop

shave with the razor

repeat the last two steps if the edge isn't satisfactory. You're trying to establish an edge that doesn't necessarily have the abrasive signature in it any longer, and using the stone just to thin it without letting the abrasive take a deep bite.