Thread: Transulant arkansas stones

I curious about the white translucent Arkansas stone and how does it fair compared to the black translucent Arkie. I'm just torn between the two any suggestions would be appreciated

General rule of thumb is that translucents are better polishers than blacks. That being said, some blacks are better than translucents. I've also heard of regular hard arks that can polish on the same level as the translucents and blacks. I guess what I am trying to say is that, being natural stones, they vary a lot.

Ageed some are different from what I've read so I guess it's like a shot in the dark

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

Ageed some are different from what I've read so I guess it's like a shot in the dark

At least they aren't tooo expensive. But just to muddy the water a bit more and then not offer any help... I understand some distributers have better stock than others lol. Sigh.

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

Ageed some are different from what I've read so I guess it's like a shot in the dark

It really is a shot in the dark when it comes to Arkies. I've been lucky and got great stones with my black and translucent.

Originally Posted by Theseus

It really is a shot in the dark when it comes to Arkies. I've been lucky and got great stones with my black and translucent.

+1. I picked up Norton/Pike vintage trans and black hard off of ebay. Got the trans fairly cheap but paid dear for the black. The trans has been great on razors but the black, my particular one, is exceptional. Worth the $ it cost me for a 5x2.

I have a nice Black Norton and translucent Norton. They are about the same. But you got to think Norton only puts it's name on the better ones..

both stones are of the same specific gravity 250+ ime i have had better luck with surgical black then translucents for razors if you want a fine black go with the surgical black gold testing stone you wont or cant go wrong with that stone

Here is an old vintage translucent novaculite stone. Not all novaculite mined in N. America comes from Arkansas. I have heard this stone also referred to as Gravestone and Hutchinson stone. This is a fine finisher with oil. More fine than the modern surgical black that I have. It is a slow stone. It leaves a toothy edge that can be stropped smooth. I hope this helps some.
MIke

Shatters easy dont ask.......happen to me as well.....dont ask........