-jdX-, My black Arkansas is great for a pre-hone before the barber hone. 10 strokes on the Arkie, then 10+ on a barber of my choosing. Keen Kutter is a great hone IMHO, but $40 seems a wee bit high, unless it's the two sided one. The problem with Keen Kutter hones and razors, is that , by name, they're a "collectors item". I just recently saw an old, framed, ad in an antique shop, where little negro (in keeping with the spirit of the ad) kids are lopping off puppy's tails with a "Keen Kutter" hatchet! I thought the price of the item was because of the content, but the shopkeep informed me it was the Keen Kutter name that made it valuable.