Thread: Any Arkansas users out there?

So as always I'm cruising the internet, reading about rocks, looking at pictures of rocks, sometimes throwing rocks. I come across a site telling me the quartzite crystal abrasives in an Arkansas stone are 3-5 microns in size, and the stone is over 98 percent made up of the quartzite crystal abrasives. While a coticule is working in the 5-10 micron range with 30-40 percent garnet content. I think most who've honed on both would say the preference is for the faster cutting coticule. But this just got me to thinking about slurry on an Arkansas, and it's possible effects. I'm no scientist...just a regularjoe, but I'm curious about it. Anybody fooled around with slurrying a Surgical Black or translucent?

I use Arkansas stones to hone my razors I havent tried a slurry on them but once you figure out the pressure on them they can be quite fast if you work through your grit progressions correctly I took my A. Witte Gold Bug from a steak knife edge to a buttery smooth shaver in about 30mins

Funny you should ask because I just recently got a great vintage black Pike/Norton and finished a couple on it.

OIL, no slurry. A month or so ago I honed a couple for a member and one for myself on a vintage pike translucent. Same thing, oil, no slurry, and very smooth and close shaves.

This was finishing only, next I'm going to try starting with the Washita Lily White and working my way up with Arks only.

Arkansas hone wont work, because they aren't rare and don't cost a lot of money.....

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Arkansas hone wont work, because they aren't rare and don't cost a lot of money.....

I managed to find some that are rare and cost a lot of money .... you just have to look for them .....

I've used a surgical black Arkie for many years for finishing, always with just oil. It gives great edges, epecially on harder American steels IMO. I tried slurrying it once and the slurry felt really gritty. Not something you would want to run a razor across.

I've tried pink and black with slurry and much prefer no slurry.

Dangit maybe I should have bought a translucent or a black before I started this thread.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

Dangit maybe I should have bought a translucent or a black before I started this thread.

Don't worry, in a few weeks everyone will be chasing after the next big thing .... the arks will be forgotten.

I have always wanted to try a translucent though.... I have a hard white and it is okay, no big deal...