Thread: Translucent Arkansas Stones

A question for the honemeisters out there. I've seen several translucent Arkansas hones on ebay recently, at widely varying prices or starting bids. Some list the grit as, "at least 8000", others don't specify. Am I right in assuming that all translucent Arkansas would be roughly (no pun intended) the same grit? What other factors would contribute the the defferences in price?

Originally Posted by leadduck

A question for the honemeisters out there. I've seen several translucent Arkansas hones on ebay recently, at widely varying prices or starting bids. Some list the grit as, "at least 8000", others don't specify. Am I right in assuming that all translucent Arkansas would be roughly (no pun intended) the same grit? What other factors would contribute the the defferences in price?

Sorry they wont be same. Some will be very fine others don't.
gl

Whether deservedly so or not vintage stones seem to bring more $. Size, the bigger the more expensive, and exotic colors also seem to bring more $. I cannot comment on grit. If you google Arkansas stones there is a seller with a website that claims grit ratings but I don't remember the name of it. If you google it the site will be prominent.

Grit rating for a novaculite-type stone (or any natural stone) is largely subjective. The extra fine arkansas stones are more properly classified by specific gravity - although the grit may be the same size, it is its compactness that classifies the stone - to use a bit of a loose example, the smaller the distance between the grains the harder the stone.

The grit size of some is quoted at a lowly 1,200 but the end results far exceeds expectations - it's a slow business using one, though, and they are a complete swine to lap. Don't be tempted to use a diamond plate unless you want to refine its grit size (the plates grit size, that is!).

The older veins were deemed to be better - as Jimmy HAD points out whether that is so is debatable and may have something to do with the lure of that which is not obtainable any more. Translucent stones are liable to flakes and flaws which make the larger sizes harder to come by, and thus more expensive.

From memory, I think Dan's Whetstones has the most info on this type of stone - could be wrong though!

Regards,
Neil.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

From memory, I think Dan's Whetstones has the most info on this type of stone - could be wrong though!

You're right Neil and here is the page where Dan assigns grit ratings and recommended use for specific stone types.