Arkansas for the HADdites.

**JimR** · 12-07-2009, 12:08 AM

If one were to be suffering from a debilitating disease requiring the constant infusion of new stones, would the Black or the Translucent Arkansas be a better treatment?

**IanS** · 12-07-2009, 12:32 AM

What do you want it for?

Blacks are rated ~4k JIS.

Trans, it's probably safe to assume are 6k+. (Edit: they are rated as 950 at one retailer... ~5k JIS).

Blacks at least are typically oil-stone and not water.
Trans I'd assume the same, but don't know.

Blacks can finish a razor, but probably nowhere near the standard you're used to.
Trans are in the same boat, but a little closer.

I'm told that both are very slow cutters when used with razors... being oilstones, I can buy that.

*This is old JIS... I don't know how to translate it to new JIS. There are charts about that can though.

**onimaru55** · 12-07-2009, 12:39 AM

Ya know you're gonna buy both doncha ?

**0livia** · 12-07-2009, 12:41 AM

Jim, listen to Onimaru

**onimaru55** · 12-07-2009, 01:03 AM

And you'll need a Washita for bevel setting

**JimR** · 12-07-2009, 01:15 AM

Ian, I see you're new here. "What do you want it for?" is a question that has NO ANSWER for the truly diseased. I want it because it is a rock, and I can rub a razor on it.

So I guess it's decided, as I'm a degenerate addict...anybody have a good (cheap) source for translucents? Woodcraft has a nice looking boxed set of three --soft, hard and black 6x2s--for $52...

**0livia** · 12-07-2009, 01:22 AM

That price can hardly get any better!
Except that they are quite small.

I'm still looking for a good sized black one as well.

Arkansas have some kind of charm I would not want to miss.
For certain steels they are just the perfect solution.

**mparker762** · 12-11-2009, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by JimR

If one were to be suffering from a debilitating disease requiring the constant infusion of new stones, would the Black or the Translucent Arkansas be a better treatment?

Functionally they are equivalent; differences in performance are due to variations between individual stones rather than coloration.

Translucents are available in more colors and color combinations. White, gray, red, pink, yellow, blue, purple, orange, red, and combinations of these are available in translucents. I've got a pink translucent with coffee and cream swirls that is quite attractive.

**JimR** · 12-11-2009, 02:24 AM

Thanks All! I talked to one of the makers and they said the same--the Surgical black is actually better for finer edges than the translucent. So Surgical black it is...maybe I'll pick one up next week in the States. Anyone know a good shop to pick up a Black Arkie in the SE KS/SW MO/NE OK area?

Thanks!

**alx** · 12-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Jim
When you do get your stone give it a try as a water stone first, you might like it. Also if you have a diamond plate like a DMT or an Atoma try raising a slurry for sharpening, these stones can really come alive with a bit of slurry. If you start to use it as an oil stone, it is a done deal, it will always be an oil stone. If you start it out as a water stone you can always change it to an oil stone. By the way if you raise a slurry with a diamond nagura it can change the sharpening character of an oil stone too. Alx

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