Thread: Smiths tri stone

Arkansas hones are very very very slow.

I have used a surgical black to get a nice edge but nowadays I prefer other hones (Gnats, Bnats and Jnats).

The various Arkansas stones have been a subject in many threads. As of yet there has been no definitive conclusion. It seems that those who have been shaving a long time ( 20 + years ) and started honing on them have accepted them as providing a reasonable shaving edge. So you can try it if you wish but don't be surprised if it is a very slow process and results in an edge that can be easily beaten by a number of other hones.

Good luck,

Here's how I see it -

I have seen a lot of threads about those Tri-Hones. Some guys say they work, others say they don't. The only FIRST HAND accounts I have ever read are from guys who describe them like JeffR. I can't recall any of the guys who I know by reputation saying anything about them one way or the other.

In short, to me it's a gamble.

What I do know is the popular synthetics are tried and true. The Tri-Hone may be $30 while a good set of synethetics will be about $110 for 1k, 3/4/5k and 8k, but I'd rather buy the right stuff the first time. The only exception (for me, at least) would be if you are seriously interested in stones AND have the time, experience, and other equipment to make comparisons.