Thread: Lapping a Dan's Arkansas

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

When I got my third stone, hard black, from Dan's, I rubbed it against the translucent for burnishing. Super glossy and silky smooth.

Then my next question is what's the best way to burnish it without having a higher-hard stone than say, a coticule?

the black would be the finest entry into my honing done. I spent a LONG time maxing out cotis (horrendously fun).

Can I take a beater razor and do endless passes to break it in? maybe slurry the snot out of the ark?

ideas?

Originally Posted by earcutter

Good luck J743, and congrats on your new stones yet to be received.

I bought Dan's. Flat as a Western Kansas landscape I tell you. But yeah, checking for sure is always a good idea. But for real - I have yet to hear anyone say their Dan's weren't flat.

I only burnished mine if I recall. But who knows anymore. What I do recall doing was going hog wild on my knife collection (I have a few). Then I hit up my kitchen knife collection (I have a lot) ... then back to my knives before I used it on my razors. The more you use it, the more the magic methinks.

Be patient -> it'll reward you.


Again. Congrats!

I'll try my best. Boy that's a rough one, but I know it's necessary. Maybe I'll max out my coti and jump to the black.

I have a hard black Dan's Arkansas stone. I didn't need to lap it; it works great for razors, knives and chisels.

Originally Posted by J743

Then my next question is what's the best way to burnish it without having a higher-hard stone than say, a coticule?

the black would be the finest entry into my honing done. I spent a LONG time maxing out cotis (horrendously fun).

Can I take a beater razor and do endless passes to break it in? maybe slurry the snot out of the ark?

ideas?

I'm going to run a little sand paper over mine, probably 600-2000 grit on the side I want burnished, then attack it with every knife I have until it's suitably worn in. I think an old razor is also a suitable idea provided of course it's relatively rust free and not too roughed up. The other side might just get scuffed up with 320 or 600 grit and called good. Both the small black (5"x2") and translucent I've obtained.

As said, check it first. If it needs lapin you can buy a progression from 60 to 500 loose Silicone Oxide for about $15.

A dollar stone cookie sheet and a teaspoon of 60 grit will get it flat in about 15-20 minutes, then run up the grit and move to Wet & Dry from 600 to 1k.

But all I hear from Dan’s stones is that they are pretty flat. Don’t use a diamond plate, you will trash it…

Here is a good Ark thread. Arkansas Translucent preparation

There are many good Ark threads.

Dear OP,

I've read many, many threads on Dan's hard black and translucent. Probably your best resource is Mr. Steel who posted this evening. Don't know him, never met him, but writes with knowledge and experience re: Dan's Whetstones. So I make myself very plain: there is usually no need to lap a hard black or tranlucent from Dan's. Can't speak to the softer stones.

Mr Steel, your many posts on Dan's stones have been a valuable resource to me in my previous searches. Thank you.

Originally Posted by J743

Then my next question is what's the best way to burnish it without having a higher-hard stone than say, a coticule?

The old fashioned way, a chisel.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Dear OP,

I've read many, many threads on Dan's hard black and translucent. Probably your best resource is Mr. Steel who posted this evening. Don't know him, never met him, but writes with knowledge and experience re: Dan's Whetstones. So I make myself very plain: there is usually no need to lap a hard black or tranlucent from Dan's. Can't speak to the softer stones.

Mr Steel, your many posts on Dan's stones have been a valuable resource to me in my previous searches. Thank you.

Thank you for your kind words. I guess that is always the hope in posting here. That someone will find them helpful.

Update:

changed the size of the black to a 6x3. I'm really excited about it.

The Customer Service was outstanding. They really are good peeps.

I'll report back with pics.

I'll check for flatness. If it's right, I'll start burnish it with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, and go up to about 5000 grit sandpaper (i have an automotive store that carries it). After that, I'll grab an old chisel in my garage and run laps upon laps upon laps with some pressure.

Nice size, if it is flat and smooth, no need to sand it, just get a large carbon steel kitchen knife, it is easier to use both hands and your body weight.

I use a $2 flea market cleaver. The larger the blade surface the smoother the finish.

If you do sand, a cookie sheet on cement floor works well and contains the mess.