Thread: Washita or Soft Arkansas for bevel setting

I have a No1 which I've used after the 1k with good results. Had to take a leap of faith the first time because it sounded like I was dragging s.th. along a gravel road...

I mixed some Ballistol with Smith's & it works oh so well on just about any stone.
I think my next finisher will be a surgical black!

Slawman

Originally Posted by Steel

I have been using a washita to set bevels for some time now and have had no problem at all. I will dress the stone making sure it is flat, clean, and fresh before use and it cuts amazingly. There are many others here "in the shadows" that also use it.

Do you do a full Ark progression from bevel set to finish on Arks?

I would love to know yor method and wich stones you use from bevel to finish.

You might want to send Steel a PM as he hasnt been on in over a week. But hlat leazt he is still around. And he loves the Washita. I know this for a fact.

Originally Posted by kelbro

Don't read much on here about using natural novaculites like Washita and Soft Arkansas for setting bevels.

I don't do a lot of restores but I've had good luck with them following or instead of a DMT1200 EF. Almost never see any chipping like I sometimes do with synthetics.

Just curious if/why these two workhorses have been put out to pasture by the pros.

I think it's because they require pressure to cut fast and the synthetics are faster with much less pressure.

“Just curious if/why these two workhorses have been put out to pasture by the pros.”

When you hone other folk’s razors, all kinds, in all conditions come through the door. You must set a bevel quickly and efficiently, remove all the defects and at times, usually, do some edge repair. I can count the ones, that just needed a touch-up. Even they get a full bevel set. My personal razors are another story.

Low grit aggressive synthetic or Diamonds are the most efficient, but you must know how deal with the issues these stones can cause, so you use just enough stone to do the job, then hone it on a progression.

And if you want, use an Ark as a finisher. Honing as a business is way different than honing for sport.

You could not make a living running a cabinet or furniture shop with woodworking hand tools. But it is relaxing and fun as a hobby.

A well-known mostly hand too furniture maker/instructor, who descended from a long line of European furniture makers once said, “If my grandfather could have got his hands on an electric router, he sure as hell would have used it.”

There is a distinct difference between modern and vintage washita. The vintage washita is a performer!!! Depending on vintage washita one stone can bevel set to high midrange. I also find vintage washita to be fast And will, raise swarf quickly. They can be a bit finicky and are pressure sensitive. There is a bit of a learning curve with these. If anyone has put a vintage washita out to patsture I would be glad to take it off your hands. The soft ark is another issue. I think for knives is fine but not my go to for razors.

You know, I've heard a couple of people say that about the soft arks but I use one for bevel set as part of a progression and I've been very pleased with the edges I get. Maybe I'm thick but I don't quite see what all the fuss is about. I don't claim to be a genius or an expert but I'm pretty pleased with the edges that I get from that ark progression I've been working with which includes the soft ark. Tell you what, I'll send you one that I've honed bevel set to finish with this method and let you be the judge. I'll even pay return postage. Hell, where you are I could probably drive it over.

A bevel is a bevel is a bevel. 1k chosera? Fast and doesn't leave any mess that isn't easily cleaned up. I prefer the express. Although others may not.

Never said it wasn't. Still I don't recall cleaning up any "messes."