Thread: Lapping a Dan's Arkansas

Fellas,

I just purchased a soft and surgical black arkansas. I'm really excited to try them and I'm enjoying reading some threads to prepare myself for what might be in store and the responsibilities I have as a straight razor shaver to get there.

I haven't found any comprehensive tutorials on lapping black and/or transclucent arkansas hones though, and I'm looking for advice.

One member recommended ~24, then ~80, then ~500 grit silicon carbide and some serious elbow grease. Sounds good to me, I'm gathering the materials as we speak.

So,questions:

1. If anyone has experienced Dan's whetstones before (which I was told by their customer service they are "flat" but honing expectations are seriously resentments under construction)—did you have to lap from the ground up or just "finish"/burnish the stone?

2. How did YOU finish your black arkansas?

Advice / recommendations appreciated.