Thread: Arky Black Prep

And it starts . . .

Bought some baby oil tonight and a cheap Faberware knife at Walmart. Spent an hour watching TV with the Missus and slowly making X-stroke passes back and forth while occasionally reloading the oil. I probably put more oil on the stone than needed, but what the hell, I doubt it will do any harm. After the show was over I added more oil and wiped the stone clean, as I saw in a video. Took a little dab of oil after that and ran it across the stone and put it away. I probably could have used more pressure, but I am in no great rush to use this finisher, so slow and steady is fine with me. It took a LOT of metal off, that is for sure, and it is starting to acquire a sheen, if not a mirror finish. Looking forward to working it more later this week.

I use CRoX for calming new hard stones - put it on top and rubb the kitchen knife on with the flat . Its messy but you polish the stone and th knife together .

Knife was purchase specifically to "break in" the stone, so I do not care about what happens to it. I think I will stick with the simplest method. But thanks, just the same. It is an interesting notion to keep in mind.

Originally Posted by Orville

And it starts . . .

Bought some baby oil tonight and a cheap Faberware knife at Walmart. Spent an hour watching TV with the Missus and slowly making X-stroke passes back and forth while occasionally reloading the oil. I probably put more oil on the stone than needed, but what the hell, I doubt it will do any harm. After the show was over I added more oil and wiped the stone clean, as I saw in a video. Took a little dab of oil after that and ran it across the stone and put it away. I probably could have used more pressure, but I am in no great rush to use this finisher, so slow and steady is fine with me. It took a LOT of metal off, that is for sure, and it is starting to acquire a sheen, if not a mirror finish. Looking forward to working it more later this week.

How long do you think it will take to get the Black Arkie to a mirror like finish to use as a finisher for a straight?

Honestly, I have no idea. Based on what some have posted here about what it should look like, I am only certain that mine is not there yet.

Originally Posted by SirMike

How long do you think it will take to get the Black Arkie to a mirror like finish to use as a finisher for a straight?

It really depends on how far you take your initial polishing. I took mine to 2K W/D, then a very hard J-Nat tomo and then a six inch piece of tool steel on oil with quite a bit of pressure.
Four hours later she's ready to go, very reflective and puts a stunning edge on a well honed razor.

Another 60 - 90 minutes last night. Not sure about the stone, but the knife is starting to pop hair on my arm.

Probably a good two and a half hours of work into it so far. Not even going to think about posting a pic for another 3 hours.

Pressure is what you want to apply, time on the stone with any blade will help but not as fast as pressure, which is why a large knife or chisel works well, use your body weight and lean into it.

It is not so much what it looks like, as it should feel smooth as wet glass. A razor should glide on the surface. It is just for polishing, post 8 or 12k edge.

Here is a nice 10X3 Black Ark, super smooth.

Thanks . . . one question . . . is that stone dry, or is it oiled?

Also, I take your point about pressure but, as I am still a complete rookie at this, I would rather take more time and be cautious, than do something which damage or otherwise mar the stone.

Start honing a razor on it and find out what edge you get. I have never done anything with my stones other than use them for planes and chisels and pocket knives, but suggested in other threads to use tool steel to condition them because I know what planes and chisels and pocket knives have done to them. As soon as your stone loses bite and goes to some polish and some cut, it's ready to finish a razor. Beyond that is a matter of what you decide you want from the stone.