Thread: Black Hard Arkansas Stone?

Of course ... I didn't mean I would go from 1K to Arkansas. I was only curious if it could be used as a finishing stone.

Sandpaper will work but i would start at a lower grit paper and go up!

What would be the transition of sandpaper? would 2500 be a finishing grit or a starting grit. I would think either a finishing grit or close to it. However, I couldn't see going down to a 400 to start.

Originally Posted by mhenson

Of course ... I didn't mean I would go from 1K to Arkansas. I was only curious if it could be used as a finishing stone.



What would be the transition of sandpaper? would 2500 be a finishing grit or a starting grit. I would think either a finishing grit or close to it. However, I couldn't see going down to a 400 to start.

Perhaps lower like a 225 wet/dry sandpaper and go up!

Get a cup of coffee when you start to lap the black Arkansas. You'll see why "hard" is a part of the description!!

Regards,
Howard

I don't usually lap barber hones unless they are really dished. IME, years ago, barbers didn't lap them. I think washing them with a nylon bristle brush and trying them is your best bet. I lay a straight edge on them to check them first. If I do lap them I used to use a 325 diamond plate but went to 120 (DMT D8XX) to save a lot of time. If I was going to lap a barber hone with sandpaper I would start that low and work up to get it smooth as possible. 1k sandpaper would be as high as I would go. YMMV.

The hard black ark has been good for me with an already shave ready razor. Improving the edge I mean.

Silicon Carbide powders on glass lap anything in reasonable time. Wetndri is made of the same stuff so that's ok too but if you start low, like 80 grit, the paper has a bit of give that is not so conducive to flatness.