Thread: arkansas stone sharpening

can you get a good edge on a straight razor by using an arkansas stone, or is the grit to high to damage the razor? Being I've only got one razor, n moneys tight, I cant afford to send it out for a few more weeks to get professionally honed. I am noticing that the razor is beginning to pull, rather then cut smoothly, and thats after a 50/50 pass on an unpasted strop. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Yes and No, Like any other Natural stone in the world it would depend on the characteristics of that stone...

Some of the "Translucent" and "Surgical Black" Arkansas stones I have heard work well, I used what was referred to as a Snow White/Marble White Ouachita for many years on my razors, and still do on one particular razor just to keep my original roots intact..
It really depends on the stone and the honer, to what can be achieved with one...

Originally Posted by flyfishingta

can you get a good edge on a straight razor by using an arkansas stone, or is the grit to high to damage the razor? Being I've only got one razor, n moneys tight, I cant afford to send it out for a few more weeks to get professionally honed. I am noticing that the razor is beginning to pull, rather then cut smoothly, and thats after a 50/50 pass on an unpasted strop. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

i will hone it free.
send pm i let you know where to ship.
hope this helps.

To the OP since yer new, you might not know what a great offer that was from Sham, he is well known for great edges, and obviously being a grand gentleman....

Send it to sham, his edges are fabulous & mighty fine of him to offer his services. Second, pick up a filly strop from ruprazor.com and then get some diamond paste or spray for it. The edge would last you a VERY long time...

Hey flyfishingta,
I would take hi-bud-gl up on his offer when you are ready. Some Arkansas stones are good "finishers", many are not so good. I have several and only one is what I would call a finisher for a str8 razor. They are a little different than other stones and tend to give a toothy edge.
My 2cents
Mike

you have to use the right arkansas stone for the right job you'll get a razor sharp razor of a soft arkansas but hard would be better for the best edge you need a surgical black or translucent i worked in the meat industry for nearly thirty years and used nothing but arkansas the whole time when i got my first razor nearly as long ago i used the arkansas stones on that too i recently purchased two shave ready razors done on naniwas and they were very rough compared to what i get of the surgical black

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yes and No, Like any other Natural stone in the world it would depend on the characteristics of that stone...

Some of the "Translucent" and "Surgical Black" Arkansas stones I have heard work well, I used what was referred to as a Snow White/Marble White Ouachita for many years on my razors, and still do on one particular razor just to keep my original roots intact..
It really depends on the stone and the honer, to what can be achieved with one...

I have used the Translucent Arkansas stones for honing for a long time. I love them. Most of the time I don't feel I need to strop after.

A friend of mine who's been shaving since more than 20 years is using a black arkansas followed by CrOxed strop. That is to confirm that the right arkansas and multiyear skills can do the job.