Thread: Hard Arkansas

Earlier in the week I received a hard Arkansas stone from Dan's. I'm also waiting for a black from Natural, would have got it from Dan's but they don't take PayPal (darn it). So any way, I was thinking today about trying the hard stone and give it a shave.

Took an already shave ready razor and did 30 laps on the hard stone. Stropped and gave it a go. I must say it wasn't to bad at all. The bevel had a glaze to it but no real scratch pattern to speak of (using a 30x loupe) It was kind of reminiscent of a soft coticule.

Very cool. I look forward to hearing more - especially when you get your black.

I am surprised that a mere 30 laps was enough. So often I hear you need to run a blade across the stone for quite a while to see any discernible results. Then again, as you said, it was already shave ready.

Thanks for the report!

Originally Posted by Wid

It was kind of reminiscent of a soft coticule.

I had the exact same experience with more than one razor on a vintage translucent Ark, and on a vintage black hard Ark. Somewhere I posted back then that it was very like the edge off of a good coticule. Kind of smooth and nice. Enjoy the Arks.

I love my Arks. if I find a blade that wont quite do what I want I break out my oil stones. they are slow compared to my Nortons. I can always count on them to give me a finish I want.if you like the finish you had from this one, wait till you get the black.

I got my middle stone in today, a black from Dave at Naturals. I had asked him to make certain it is flat and by goodness it was. I'm in the process of dressing it. So far I have used a 325/600 DMT, 800 grit and then 1500 grit wet/dry.

Now I'm using an old cheap cleaver to shine it up. Hopefully it can make enough progress to try out this weekend.

A couple of pics

MMMMMM rock porn!!!!

Yea, thick old carbon steel cleavers and large carbon chef’s knives work well with pressure and some Smiths Honing Solution for finishing a Ark and it will put a hell of an edge on you knife in the process.

If you got it smooth enough, a few hundred pressure laps will get it feeling like glass, the smoother the better for razors.

Use the Smith’s on a wet stone, 2-3 drops of Smiths. I finish on a 12k Super Stone then go to the Ark.

Love that edge, it is crisp and smooth. To touch up, tape and micro bevel just a few laps.

She's starting to take on a nice black color.

Nice looking stone, what size is it? You can get them down here but they are only 4 x 2 inch.

This one is an 8x3x1, it's a good size stone.