Thread: How Do I Use These Hones

Originally Posted by eleblu05

well that second stone is a translucent ark[ansas]...

I have several of these, but didn't know what they were. Thanks!

On these threads, there are somewhat frequent references to the use of carbon and graphite in various forms. Ink in newspaper. Pencil lead on strops. Etc.

Interestingly, every translucent Arkansas hone I have has been obviously marked up with a lead pencil. It must have been common practice to coat the surfaces of these stones with graphite as abrasive.

Thank you everyone for your input. I am new to honing, I picked up set of 4 somewhat beat up SR's off ebay really cheap that I've been practicing on. I am improving but I have a long way to go. I'll try some of your suggestions. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I have several of these, but didn't know what they were. Thanks!

On these threads, there are somewhat frequent references to the use of carbon and graphite in various forms. Ink in newspaper. Pencil lead on strops. Etc.

Interestingly, every translucent Arkansas hone I have has been obviously marked up with a lead pencil. It must have been common practice to coat the surfaces of these stones with graphite as abrasive.

Graphite is not an abrasive.

Graphite pencils are a different game. The graphite is bound in a clay
then fired. Varying the graphite to clay ratio changes the hardness.

The quality of the fine clay and the universal demand for a smooth writing
almost guarantees an ultra fine result. As an amendment to hones and
strops I can see how pencil lead would work on two levels. The slickness
of the graphite can lubricate and the fired clay can act as a fine polish
abrasive and surface filler. It is worth a try...

On barber hones I have started using the last bit of a tube of white
toothpaste. Just a little bit. For me it minimizes glazing, promotes
polishing and it feels as if the fluoride reacts with the surface of old
barber hones tightening up the surface. The wetting agent also helps.

There are a lot of old time tricks like ash and charcoal from burned straw
to blackboard chalk to decanted slurry mud all of which result in
fine abrasives with different properties.

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I
Interestingly, every translucent Arkansas hone I have has been obviously marked up with a lead pencil. It must have been common practice to coat the surfaces of these stones with graphite as abrasive.

The "pencil" marks you've seen on Arkansas stones were more likely to be steel left behind from the knife sharpening. The curved edges of knives often only touch the stone at a small point, which looks like pencil lines after the stone has been used a while.