Thread: Arkansas

Here....some more confusion for ya.

These are mine, and will never touch a razor. Knives only.



Steve, just tell Dan what your wanting, and for what purpose. I'm sure he can accommodate another NUT, I mean Arky fanatic.

You'd be better off smearing some bacon grease on a brick, than to put your razors to one of these Arks.

Originally Posted by outback

Here....some more confusion for ya.

These are mine, and will never touch a razor. Knives only.

I'm beginning to think I should give one of you guys my credit card and let you shop for me

Well again we're at the good and bad, yes and no. The good thing or bad thing depending on how you look at it about natural stones is that no two are alike. Each and every one is an individual even cut from the same rock. If you cut it one direction you might get one effect if you cut it the other you might get a different effect, maybe incredibly different effect depending on the type of rock. Also it's not a contiguous mix like synthetics. That is why so many people use synthetics is because you can judge exactly what you're going to get pretty much from a specific manufacturer's specific grit range. Nats are an adventure. The Chinese natural stones are a good example. Some of them were really good and inexpensive some of them really sucked. You just don't ever know. As I say, I'm not very versed on arks. I would imagine that there are good tutorials from places like Dan's. I don't know if he specifically has them but I know he's got a respected business and very helpful. I was fortunate in that I inherited a number of them, mostly smaller stones but still useful and I've managed to muddle through. It can be quite expensive in terms of trial and error but sometimes you have to just try some on the advice of others hopefully and find what works for you.

Steve-Some time back LHT did a field trip to Dan's, in which he cleared up all the very confusing nomenclature on Arks from the source: https://sharprazorpalace.com/hones/1...true-hard.html
I don't remember if he posted this in one of his replies already, but the link in the thread is a must read too if you're an Arkaholic (which it sounds like you're becoming lol!).

edit: And by the way, have you got the damn thing yet? I'm tired of hearing about it-I want to SEE it!
(Oh, and let me reiterate what others have said about calling Steve Kirschman directly. He can definitely hook you up with anything you want. He found me the primitive cut black Arkie of my dreams a few months back. And they sell their primitives for ridiculously-low prices because I guess they only have to finish the top (which was all I needed for this):

Somewhere in my files I've got pics of that in the walnut base I mounted it in.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

And by the way, have you got the damn thing yet? I'm tired of hearing about it-I want to SEE it!

No, I'm still waiting for it

I just had a shave and got pink lather for the first time in ages. I initially thought, "Steve, concentrate".
Then I realized i wouldn't have cut myself if my ark had arrived so it's not my fault!

Thanks Scout for the referral to the field trip. Memorable day. Yes, talk to Steve K directly. His understanding of the nomenclature is tops. The ladies are helpful but can get you confused with exacting terms.

Novaculite is the crystalline substance that makes up all three grades of Arkansas novaculite stones (soft, hard, true hard); like garnets make up coticules. IMO, Arkansas novaculite is much more consistent throughout than other natural stones, like coticules. The TRUE HARD grouping consists of Hard Black, Translucent, and the true hard. The distinction of a true hard is that it is colored or mottled, and is generally not translucent, except maybe in spots, but not throughout. (Mottled - Did I get that right?) All three have a Geologic Survey (USGS) rating of 2.5+. The number refers to density of the novaculite particles. Smaller number, lower density, softer stone. That’s how Dan’s Whetstones describes them. To say more than that is speculation unless you do the test on your own stone, then only antidotal evidence. To emphasize, there is virtually no difference between a Hard Black and a Translucent. Some like to play “mine’s-better-than-your’s.”

I recently purchased a Norton Translucent, burnished it only moderately. I have generally concluded there is NO difference between the three - black, translucent, and true hard. But I concluded the same thing after talking to Steve K at Dan’s those years ago. But I now have all three.

I know the pricing seems like a great find, and those stones are probably alright. Probably only need lapping. But... there is a reason we mostly buy from Dan’s, and that is their workmanship and customer service. Who else would let me drive my 18-wheeler into their front yard?

BTW, I should do a write up with pictures on the Norton Translucent. Lapped with wet/dry. Turned out great. L a z y h o n i n g - love it!

Here is one of my small hard stones. I don't know what it is exactly.


I lapped one side to 600-800 ( I can't remember) and one side I lapped up to 3k with wet/dry. On the fine side it is almost mirror polished.



It's not very big but it is fabulous for finishing. It is so crisp but still really smooth and comfortable.
I just read back through my post from earlier and it was not very clear. So to clarify, I usually do a back and forth x stroke, laps of 10 on one side and then the same on the other side. Sets of 10 for about 200-300 then do regular side alternating x strokes for about 100. If I do a progression I do the same side back and forth x strokes then do the alternating/regular x strokes at finishing.

I don’t want to hijack the thread, but I do want to ask a question.

Full disclosure: I love my coticules and I get really good shaves from my razors using them, particularly with a recently acquired natural BBW-coticule combination stone.

I bevel set using a 1k, work through a Norton 4K/8K to coti progression when resetting a bevel and finish or refresh using a coti/Vermio or CrOx.

I am very happy with my edges, but this Arkansas discussion has activated my HAD, especially since the arks are not as astronomically priced as JNats.

I don’t NEED another hone, but I am curious about how a good Arkansas edge would compare to what I am getting with the stones I have. Please share your experience.

Originally Posted by DZEC

I don’t want to hijack the thread, but I do want to ask a question.

Full disclosure: I love my coticules and I get really good shaves from my razors using them, particularly with a recently acquired natural BBW-coticule combination stone.

I bevel set using a 1k, work through a Norton 4K/8K to coti progression when resetting a bevel and finish or refresh using a coti/Vermio or CrOx.

I am very happy with my edges, but this Arkansas discussion has activated my HAD, especially since the arks are not as astronomically priced as JNats.

I don’t NEED another hone, but I am curious about how a good Arkansas edge would compare to what I am getting with the stones I have. Please share your experience.

If you went to a black Ark after your Coti, it would make it keener, and a smoother shave. I don't know your beard, but started with a straight at the age of 17, I'm nearing 52, and thru time I've noticed my beard has gotten a bit tougher, and a Coti just isn't all that comfy, for me. Not that I can't get a good shave, just has more resistance, than the edges off a Ark, or Thurigan/Escher.

The difference between Arkansas novaculite, which is made from silica quartz, and Coticule garnets is what we’re talking about now. The Arkansas novaculite is distributed much more evenly, as I understand it, than the garnets in Coticules, which is why some end up with poor performing Coticules. But assuming all thing equal, and you’ve got good performing stones no reason each cannot give excellent finished edges. I know some go from Coticule to Arkansas, but that only changes the finishing of the edge. As previously said, I’ve been having very good success with my three Arkansas stones and my one good performing Coticule. Here’s the thing: they are different. The Arkansas stones give a keen, crisp shave. Not so much as a synthetic, say like a Shapton Glass 16k or 30k. The Coticule edge is very smooth, buttery feeling, and much more forgiving. Not quick to bite or cut.

BTW, ditch the paste. Steel, stone, leather. Anything else is sissy.