Quote Originally Posted by DaveW View Post
In my experience, an arkansas finisher is better used with some pressure for initial strokes, and gradually lighter pressure.

I have been using arks for a long time, before they were said to be OK on razor forums, and still find better experience with oil or a water based oil substitute than dish soap. The stones need something oil-like to float particles out.

I've also found that technique on the stones (X's, back and forth, circles, whatever you want to do) to be almost inconsequential. Just get the razor up to a polish and the stone will just about stop cutting. Ark and washita do that - they remove grooves with a little bit of speed and then nearly stop.
+1 Glad to see you back Dave!