Thread: Norton Translucent Arkansas

I've had a few new Norton HB6 Translucent Arkansas Stones that have been sitting in a drawer for a while now. I've been wanting to really take the time to learn each of them. I still don't have the time, but I hear them calling to me louder and louder, so I know it'll be real soon. I think these are beautiful stones. One is black, One Has a yellowish brownish Hue, two are pink and one is pretty much clear white.
I know that these aren't the favorites of most here but I've heard that the Translucent Arkansas can produce some of the best shaving edges ever if your patient enough. I've also heard from others that they are, at best, shave-able edges. And I've probably heard everything in between. I do know that they are extremely slow and they are only 6x2, but I'm extremely patient so that'll be a good match. Being natural stones they are all different so I need to figure each out individually, but I'm going to remain optimistic and hope that each will be an excellent finisher in it's own right.
When I do start to learn them I will post the experiences in the honing forum. I will try honing oil, sewing machine oil, Kroil, lather, and soapy water (not in that order). I'm not opposed to oil as I really believe that Arkansas stones really perform best when used that way.
I'll try them after Dragon's Tongue, Coticule, BBW, Thurigian, Nani SS 8k, Nani SS12k. I would try them after the spyderco fine and Ultra fine but I haven't used those for razors and I'd need to figure out the use of them first. I'm planing on ordering a Washita, Soft Ark, and Hard Ark from Dan's real soon so I'll get the full Arkansas progression experience. I would welcome any and all advice from those who have Honed with translucent Arkansas.
I know that the Arkansas aren't exactly exotic to those of us from the US, but I really do think that these are absolutely beautiful, especially the black and the pink ones. Anways, here are some pictures: