what kind of hone is this?

My barber gave me this hone. Any idea what kind of hone it is? Looks like it should be used dry is that true?

Its on the right side of the picture.

Thanks for the info

Gonna need a better photo, more close up. Could be an Arky or a Carburundum

It feels super smooth.

I don't know, but a beautiful stone.

I think this is arkansas hone.

Better pics would help. From the distant picture I would say an Arkansas stone or barber hone.

Edit: You got better pics up before I replied. Arkansas translucent

So is the stone any good? Should I use water when honing with this stone? What I dont like about it, is its size. Its a bit small, I feel like the edges of the stone could mess up the razors edge

Does it feel smooth on both sides or is one side rougher

Personally I wouldn't use it right now, a barber hone would serve you better. Some Arkansas stones are ok for razors from what I hear, but I personally have no experience with them...I'm a waterstone guy.

If it is a translucent ark it will be good for your razors. I am just not sure if it is an ark

Same smoothness both sides. Very smooth.

Then I am going to same probably a translucent ark.

I would go back to the barber and ask him if he used oil, water, lather or spit on that hone. And then you should do the same.

As to damaging the blade on the edges you should be ok it looks like they have been rounded off already from the pics

Thanks for the info! Would this be called say, a finishing stone? what grit do you think it is 10,000?

Yes it is a finishing stone. Grit is not really possible to tell you as it is a natural stone

Its a very nice Translucent/white arky stone. They are a bit slow to get you where you want to go, but get you there they do. I second asking the barber who gave it to you what he used on it. My money is on spit! If he were using oil, that stone would not be so white now.
Water with a drip of dish soap will work. Or Honing (non oil) solution is a reasonable option. So is giving that stone to me. :p

I would not be too surprise if the babrber was using lather.

yes thats a nice translucent put a flash light under it the light should move through the stone

It is a translucent Arkie, I wouldnt bother with it. Only God knows what grit and the things are super sloooow when cutting steel.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

It is a translucent Arkie, I wouldnt bother with it. Only God knows what grit and the things are super sloooow when cutting steel.

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I agree. When I think of Barber hones, Arkansas stones don't really come to mind.
Check with your Barber, Ask him what it is.

So I tried it out with some soap and water , mostly water. It felt great. Smooth, but I could hear/feel cutting/noise so I know it was doing something. Tried it on my arm, the razor feel much better now! Arm hair is so much easier to cut then facial hair. haha

finishing on a translucent depends on the last stone you come off of i use a sgs 16k then to the translucent anywhere from 50 to 75 laps coming off an 8k at a minium you will be in the 200+ range of laps to finish.