Thread: My first try with a Trans Ark

Well, it came yesterday and instead of sleeping last night i thought of ways to make my new trans love me.

Based on lot's of reading here and so much experienced advice that I should really print it and start a file, I decided to leave one side alone and dress the other side to 600. 600 seems like a sensible starting point because I guessing that it is easier to go up than down in grit.

I stuck some 600 wet n dry on my mirroer lapping plate with water , soaked the wet n dry well and started rubbing in circles, up & down, figure eights etc. I lifted the stone ( not easily because it stuck down) and turned it around to do the same so I could be sure I had the whole length even.

I did this for about 5 minutes. I have to say I couldn't actually see a difference or even feel it with my fingers but it felt different when I licked it so I must have achieved something.

I sharpened a kitchen knife for 10 minutes on the 600 side, actually I have never sharpened a knife before and it is blunter now than it was before I tried. That can go back to my steel I think.

Anyway, the 600 side feels different now, smoother. It's not shiny like a mirror yet but I guess it might get there.

I honed an already very shave ready razor that could tree top arm hair ( that I honed ). I spent about 25 mins with mineral oil doing several up and down on one side then the other, x strokes, windshield wiper strokes, heel first strokes at an angle that the whole blade fit on the stone and anything else I could think of.

I have just cleaned the stone and the razor.

After stropping 10 on canvas and 50 on leather it still treetops so I know that if nothing else, I haven't hurt the edge.

I don't imagine I have achived anything much on my first attempt with an Ark but I will shave after lunch and see if it's any different. Be so great if it is a nicer edge but I won't hold my breath.