Thread: Convex black translucent ark razor hone

I saw this stone advertised on The Superior Shave web site. I purchased a coticule from them that is nothing short of fantastic. I was looking for a Ark stone for my son-in-law when I came across the Convex stone. I watched the video on You Tube about honing on a convex stone and it peaked my interest. The idea of a stone not perfectly flat was against everything I have read and seen about honing. I should have the stone tomorrow and will take it out for a test hone. Anyone used a convex honing stone? I know the purist's will be screaming about the idea of using anything that isn't perfectly flat, but remember, everyone thought the world was flat until Columbus set sail.

Sorry to jump in, but this is one of my pet peeves. The ancient Greeks, among other civilizations, not only knew the earth was round, but had calculated the size of the planet with surprising accuracy. People give Columbus way too much credit, for many things.

I've never used a convex hone, but am curious to know how it goes!

I could see using a concave surface for final polish as it would give you a slight secondary, but convex would put the contact of the hone behind the edge.

Wow, I just read Jarrod's whole write-up and rationale as part of the description under the white translucent. Very intriguing-I would love to get that big 8x3" convex black trans to try out-I may have to pull the trigger on one of these! Please post your experiences with it.

Originally Posted by jfk742

I could see using a concave surface for final polish as it would give you a slight secondary, but convex would put the contact of the hone behind the edge.

I think they are talking flat end to end, convex across the stone. Contact would only be with a portion of the edge and looks like it would make for easier honing of a smiling blade.

Originally Posted by Diboll

I think they are talking flat end to end, convex across the stone. Contact would only be with a portion of the edge and looks like it would make for easier honing of a smiling blade.

Seems limiting.

Yea, that theory has been around for a while. An expensive solution for a non-existent problem.

The rolling X, where the heel comes off the stone will and has honed most any razor for hundreds of years.

Would be interesting to see how flat lengthwise those stones are, I saw his Ark Burnishing video if that is any indication. Thought it was a joke, perhaps it is. It was a nice looking ark in the vid though.

I see that his stone is domed and not crowned from side to side like the Dovo stone as shown in the video.

When it was discussed in the past, it was always about a crowned stone, and an X stroke used.

After years of setting bevels on a synthetic 1k, I'm experimenting with using a soft Ark instead. I'm looking forward to reading the experiences of those who have actually honed with a convex Ark. The idea seems counterintuitive. However, given Jarrod's explanation, experience and honing expertise, the idea merits a fair discussion.

“The idea seems counterintuitive. However, given Jarrod's explanation, experience and honing expertise, the idea merits a fair discussion.”

Have you seen his Ark burnishing video?


(

Burnishing an Arkansas Stone's Surface

)