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So this is a question for those the have full set of arkansas hones. I have a full set but have only used my surgical black to hone razors. So I was wondering have you ever used just your arkansas hones to bring a razor to shave ready? What stone did you set the bevel with? How long did it take you? Oil or water?
I've done a full honing using nothing but Arkies a few times. It takes quite a bit more time than using synthetics, but not so much that it wouldn't be worth doing. I start with a low grade Washita to set the bevel. From there I move on to a hard white Arkie and then A much finer Washita that I have. After this is the surgical black or translucent. I never count strokes when using Arkansas stones as I've learned to advance by feel of the razor on the hone. I also always use oil, either sewing machine oil or Smith's honing solution.
well when i frist started straight razor honing i used a ark progression. i set the bevel with a indian stone w/oil then washita soft hard and then translucent. you can set a bevel with a washita or a soft ark but you have to prep your hard stones so they are wore in to provide the best possible edge.
Thanks guys! I didn't want to get into a complete honing marathon trying to get the arkies to work but sounds like it shouldn't be to bad. I like the edges off my black so wanted to try a full progression. Also deciding if I need to start on my washita or soft ark i wasn't sure. I think my hard should be pretty broken in from doing other blades or should I give it a good lapping to give a fresh and/or more polished surface.
to prep a hard or translucent/surgical black i lap them with a 325 dmt(use water) after that i use a 3x1 translucent pocket stone to rub down the stone to smooth it over(use oil ) for the last step i use a steel block(or a knife ) and rub the stone until there is swarf all over the stone(use oil) i repete this three times to get the broken in feel after this process the stone should have a smooth reflective surface and will deliver the best results thats with in your stone ability.
Cool thanks for the info
I sharpen ("bevel set" for the pretentious) my razor on whatever is handy, but a soft Arkansas stone will do. I then hone it on a hard Arkansas stone. I usually use them dry.
The entire process usually takes about five minutes.
This may be completely irrelevant but the other night I sharpened my pocket knife which I carry all the time. I didn't use any kind of progression. I did the whole thing on a Norton Hard translucent pocket stone. Started with some circles and pressure, then moved to regular strokes using lighter and lighter pressure. With pressure I got swarf right away and made a nice sharp bevel. Then I used little pressure with alternating strokes for a while to polish.
Nothing to do with razor honing, but I was impressed with how fast the stone was able to work. It just required a little pressure.
Michael
Yea they are nice stones been using them for awhile for all different knives. Just had not used them really for honing razors cause of some threads I had read when I first joined this site. But after getting other stones and learning them found I really like my arkies better and would like to use them. Hence the start of this thread.
at this time, with my current ability to sharpen knives, i prefer very hard stones for knife sharpening as soft stones and pressure dont seem to work well together, and i tend to sharpen knives with some pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by mjsorkin
I found that after I had sharpened my whole set of Kitchen, pocket, and hunting knives, the Arkies were thoroughly prepped and they work like a charm - - - for the most part. I have sharpened about 30 razors on them so far. There are a few I am still battling, but that is mostly because of inexperience with the different hardness of steel types. Stupid Morley (I LOVE the razor and how it looks, but can't get it to take and/or hold an edge). Thank goodness for advice from Glen!!!!
Honestly for the last 5 or 6 razors I will admit to cheating. I got an 800/4000 combo king stone, so I used the progression: 800-soft Ark-4000-Hard Ark-Surgical (Did not work on my DANG Morley). Oh, and just as a side note, I get a better edge off my Surgical Black than by finishing on the Swaty (Wierd because the swaty feels so much finer to the hand, but it must not be in reality).
Anyway the only thing that the King water stones did for me was make it a touch faster, the honing is just as good in the Arkie progression if you take your time!