Thread: My first try with a Trans Ark

I'm still learning my primitive true hard from Dan's so don't think I'm an expert...disclaimer finished.

I polished mine to 1K and then spent several nights burnishing with a big'ol chunk of carbon steel. Its got a satiny finish with some hazy reflectivity.

For lubrication I've tried water, water/dish soap, Smith's solution, Smith's solution/water, and traditional oil. I don't have very sensitive skin and couldn't really tell much of a difference in the shave. I've been using oil, since I find it easier to see the blade under cut and also easier to feel the blade "stick" to the stone.

I've found this stone really makes me work my Norton 8K to as good a finish as I can get. For a while I was test shaving the 8K edge before moving to the ark. My best edges have been when I can't see the 8K striae and the bevel gets a kind of hazy look. Then I do 50 or so laps on fabric and then stay on leather until the bevel regains it's high polish.

The performance of my edges were a little hit and miss at first, but I went all in the last couple of months with practice and it's paying off. I'm getting much more consistent results and love the feel of the shaves. I expect this stone will only improve with time and more practice.

I'll never regret purchasing the stone, I enjoy it every time I pick it up.