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Thread: Washita or Soft Arkansas for bevel setting

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    Senior Member kelbro's Avatar
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    Default Washita or Soft Arkansas for bevel setting

    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.

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    Senior Member ultrasoundguy2003's Avatar
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    Most Arks are known as finishers these days. Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K is cake walk easy repeatable , reliable , solid , consistent.... Its like when Toyota started making a better car than the big 3. A properly set bevel never needs to be set again, similar to a foundation. Trans and Black Ark are great finishers in their own category.
    Your only as good as your last hone job.

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    Senior Member kelbro's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003 View Post
    Most Arks are known as finishers these days. Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K is cake walk easy repeatable , reliable , solid , consistent.... Its like when Toyota started making a better car than the big 3. A properly set bevel never needs to be set again, similar to a foundation. Trans and Black Ark are great finishers in their own category.
    Indeed. The higher grit range Arks are quite capable finishers. I think my Washitas and Soft Arks are in the 600-1000 grit range and I use them for the rough work on recent adoptions to get them in shape for a finishing progression.

    I like the Arks for full hollows or older steels. The synthetics can be rough on them.
    Steel likes this.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Yup, I agree. I have always been an Ark fan and have a 10X3 Washita that cuts like a demon. It is a great bevel setter.

    I think a lot of guys pass on them because, they do vary in cutting ability some and it can be hit and miss building a progression.

    I have been using Smith’s Honing solution with water, but recently “Steel” told me he’s been using Ballistol with good results. He said to cut it, 50/50 or 4/1 with water.

    Think I’ll pull out the Washita and give the Ballistol a try.
    Last edited by Euclid440; 08-15-2016 at 02:20 PM.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Steel's Avatar
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    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.

    Ballistol oil is non toxic AND water soluble. The water soluble part makes it better, for me, than plain mineral oil. It works much better than glycerin in my experience at keeping my stones totally free from swarf build up. You can use it full strength or diluted if you get the liquid and not the spray.
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    What a curse be a dull razor; what a prideful comfort a sharp one

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    Senior Member kelbro's Avatar
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    Thanks. I have Ballistol. May give that a try. It's worked well for everything else that I've tried it on. Replaced Hoppes #9 as my cologne.
    Last edited by kelbro; 08-15-2016 at 04:23 PM.

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    Love my Washitas. I think I'm up to 8 now. Just found another one buried in my MIL's garage while over there fixing their riding mower.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Hey, I hear you I buy them all the time at Garage Sales and Antique Flea Markets, often for a couple dollars. In addition to being great stones for tools and razors, they are some of the most beautiful stones, with marbling in a variety of colors.
    Steel and outback like this.

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    Steel (08-16-2016)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Steel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euclid440 View Post
    Hey, I hear you I buy them all the time at Garage Sales and Antique Flea Markets, often for a couple dollars. In addition to being great stones for tools and razors, they are some of the most beautiful stones, with marbling in a variety of colors.
    Yes they are! Sometimes after a honing session I am amazed as I look at all the stones. The variety, color, and patterns. Then I shave with the razor I honed on them and am amazed again.
    What a curse be a dull razor; what a prideful comfort a sharp one

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    Senior Member ultrasoundguy2003's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euclid440 View Post
    Yup, I agree. I have always been an Ark fan and have a 10X3 Washita that cuts like a demon. It is a great bevel setter.

    I think a lot of guys pass on them because, they do vary in cutting ability some and it can be hit and miss building a progression.

    I have been using Smith’s Honing solution with water, but recently “Steel” told me he’s been using Ballistol with good results. He said to cut it, 50/50 or 4/1 with water.

    Think I’ll pull out the Washita and give the Ballistol a try.
    WD40 works great on my Trans Ark
    Your only as good as your last hone job.

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