Thread: Black arkansas vs Translucent

Hi all just wondering about the differences between the two. Dans whetstone has listed the black as finer than the translucent and the translucent as fine as the true hard Arkansas. Meaning if I got a true hard instead of a translucent I would be 1) saving money 2) getting to the same place and then could jump to the black ark to finish?

Are these translucent/true hard Arkansas noticeably more coarse that the black? Mostly asking about Dans but in general as well.

Edit: assuming they are all prepared/worn correctly.

There are a few threads about them. A lot comes down to the prep. Have both the trans and black and the difference is negligible. To me anyway.

Sent from a galaxy far far away...

Originally Posted by Grazor

There are a few threads about them. A lot comes down to the prep. Have both the trans and black and the difference is negligible. To me anyway.

Sent from a galaxy far far away...

This is pretty much what I'm thinking. True Hard, Translucent, and Surgical Black are all about the same density, and when properly surfaced you won't see an appreciable difference from one to another. I've got an old small black somewhere, and it puts a really good edge on a razor but it isn't any better than what I can do with my translucent stones. YMMV.

Mine are pretty much indistinguishable (as long as they are prepped the same) also. I have a couple white translucents (1 Pike, 1 Norton), a couple black translucents (1 Norton, 1 Natural Whetstone), and a couple regular black (1 non-branded, 1 Norton). All of them produce great razor edges. I don't have any other non-translucent true hard Arkansas stones to compare though.

I have a couple from Dan's and there really is not much difference between the black and the trannies.

I have a Hard Black and Translucent. As mentioned, they are the same gravity or density. That's what counts. Once burnish, they are exactly the same.

One problem I've noticed is Dan's Whetstone's website is not consistent with the language when describing the two grades of black, "True Hard" and "Hard Black." Not to mention that a Translucent can be black, or dark grayish.

BTW, love mine.

I have a couple of vintage pike/norton trans and black. Results wise, feedback wise ......... can't tell them apart. If there is a difference it is negligible AFAIC. YMMV.

PS: just noticed Dan's has changed the language on their Bench Stones page. Their categories now read: Soft Arkansas, Hard Arkansas, True Hard Arkansas, Black Arkansas, and Translucent. I'm talking about the last two, as I think others are too here.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

PS: just noticed Dan's has changed the language on their Bench Stones page. Their categories now read: Soft Arkansas, Hard Arkansas, True Hard Arkansas, Black Arkansas, and Translucent. I'm talking about the last two, as I think others are too here.

True Hards seem to be the only one that few folks have experience with. My guess is because of all the hype surrounding Surgical/Black and Translucent stones. I was originally planning to get a True Hard from Dan's, but found my set of Translucents in a lot on Ebay. I'm also very happy with mine, they're excellent finishers.

When I ordered mine from Dan's, it was called Hard Black. The same column they now call Black Arkansas. Just finished rereading their descriptions on their Questions & Info tab. Apparently the last three groupings have about the same gravity / density. I've never tried what they call True Hard Arkansas.