Thread: Trying to identify old hone. Help appreciated!

I just finished lapping up an old stone that was covered in old grease and dished out by a couple of millimeters. I was told that its an Arkansas stone. In general I know that the stones are more identifiable by their specific gravity, but as it is in the block and its a family heirloom that's not feasible at the moment. I flattened the stone using loose silicone carbide grit (very course, not sure what grit as it was from an unmarked bag for rock polishing) and then finished it up on wet/dry sandpaper up to 600 over a flat tile. It seems softer than my surgical black Arkansas stone but left a great edge on my every day knife ( I haven't tried out any razors on it yet). I forgot to take before and after photos but it was a hell of a transition from greasy black to what can be seen now. Here's a shot of the stone with a layer of mineral oil on it. I'm curious to know what it is, any ideas?

All input is greatly appreciated!
-Sailor

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ggzFwJpmbuvmtWjy2

I don't know, but it looks great. Butterscotch Dalmore-Washita? Where's the family from and from what vintage? Thanks for keeping it in the block.

Yup, looks like an Arkie to me. They aren't super popular for straights, though some guys do use them.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I don't know, but it looks great. Butterscotch Dalmore-Washita? Where's the family from and from what vintage? Thanks for keeping it in the block.

We are in california, the owner of the stone says that it's been in the family for at least 100 years. It would have started out with his great grandfather around the Big Sur area here in California. I think it was originally used in a sawmill.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Yup, looks like an Arkie to me. They aren't super popular for straights, though some guys do use them.

I've observed a lack of arkansas stones being mentioned around the forum. I recently purchased my own set because I have HAD and I wanted a harder stone for larger knives. After lapping the surgical black stone ( purchased from Dan's) on the 325 dmt which took a very long time... I finished a my satin edge dd on it after taking it through the progression:
Dilucot
thuri
and the black arkansas with oil
and it shaved nicely.
Any particular reason you can think of that makes the less popular? As far as I understand arkies and Jnats are made of very similar if not the same components and they are extremely favored amongst honers. That said I haven't used a jnat myself yet, and the information that I am referencing had to do with arkansas stones, in which they referenced the fact that both arkies and jnats contain quartzite.

Originally Posted by SailorJ

I've observed a lack of arkansas stones being mentioned around the forum. I recently purchased my own set because I have HAD and I wanted a harder stone for larger knives. After lapping the surgical black stone ( purchased from Dan's) on the 325 dmt which took a very long time... I finished a my satin edge dd on it after taking it through the progression:
Dilucot
thuri
and the black arkansas with oil
and it shaved nicely.
Any particular reason you can think of that makes the less popular? As far as I understand arkies and Jnats are made of very similar if not the same components and they are extremely favored amongst honers. That said I haven't used a jnat myself yet, and the information that I am referencing had to do with arkansas stones, in which they referenced the fact that both arkies and jnats contain quartzite.

I love my translucent for finishing my kitchen knives. I guess I don't like oil stones on my razors and that would be the only reason

I really don't consider JNats and Arks to be similar either in performance or microscopic appearance.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I really don't consider JNats and Arks to be similar either in performance or microscopic appearance.

Interesting! I was under the impression that they both have a lot of SiO₂ content. Though it sounds like jnats have a higher clay content (if arkansas stones have any). Have you done any investigation yourself into the composition or microstructures of the two varieties?

Originally Posted by SailorJ

We are in california, the owner of the stone says that it's been in the family for at least 100 years. It would have started out with his great grandfather around the Big Sur area here in California. I think it was originally used in a sawmill.

If it was used in a sawmill, it could be a Washita, if not an Arkansas, as a Washita is a little more versatile. It would be good to see some closer shots of the surface in daylight (or otherwise color-balanced lighting) without the standing oil. Washitas will often pick up a black pepper dusting-like effect after use. Translucents and lily whites can feel more molten than a black hard when honing, the latter of which can seem more brittle in comparison.

Uhhh. Arks are damn near 100% microcrystalline silica. The closest stone found in nature to 100% silica. Usually something like 99.9% IIRC. They are not quartzite, that is a different animal, though quartzite can have a similar composition, characteristics and level of silica (not quite as high though). JNats are mostly way softer (yes there are exceptions, but pretty much ALL Arks are hard as a coffin nail) and with smaller percentage of silica (IIRC somewhere around high 60's% to low 70's%) but having more other things like alumina, mica, iron oxides, clays and others.