Arkies are slow and almost as cantankerous as coti's. I simply like the speed and consistancy of the shaptons, with that "perfect to me" escher edge. I have tried a LOT of stones, and know how to use most all of them. Only reason my big ole Charnley is still with me as it was my first natural finisher and its amazing to look at and use...but its as slow as could be even though it produces an amazing "crisp" edge on a razor. By the time I "finish" a food ole W&B on it...I will have been able to hone a whole other razor start to finish.