Thread: Norton Arkansas Hard oilstone

This was just given to me. It appears to be a NORTON ABRASIVES Hard Arkansas Oilstone. Can anyone comment on the quality and usability of this stone?

Norton states that these stones are similar to a 4000 grit water stone. But, because of their structure they work in a somewhat different manner. Arkansas stones are essentially pure silica, the hard dense stones like this have very small crystals. It is the corners of these crystals that actually do the cutting. Unlike water stones, you do not form a slurry, the cutting all takes place on the stone surface. The oil is essentially there to prevent metal filings from becoming embedded in the stone surface. Water can be used as well, but once the stone has been used with oil, it cannot be used with water.

The hard translucent stones, like the one you show, are very slow cutters and will produce a very polished edge. If you have the patience you can get a very good edge with one of these, but it does take time.

That should work great for knifes and tools, but not very well for razors.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

Norton states that these stones are similar to a 4000 grit water stone. But, because of their structure they work in a somewhat different manner. Arkansas stones are essentially pure silica, the hard dense stones like this have very small crystals. It is the corners of these crystals that actually do the cutting. Unlike water stones, you do not form a slurry, the cutting all takes place on the stone surface. The oil is essentially there to prevent metal filings from becoming embedded in the stone surface. Water can be used as well, but once the stone has been used with oil, it cannot be used with water.

The hard translucent stones, like the one you show, are very slow cutters and will produce a very polished edge. If you have the patience you can get a very good edge with one of these, but it does take time.

Thanks for the education. I am going to be practicing with it sooner than I thought since the edge of my razor got chipped. What kind of oil should I pick up?

Use a very fine oil, like sewing machine oil and know it's going to take a lot of strokes to get the razor sharp. If you have any kind of chip you will want to work it out with a faster stone before doing the final sharpening up on this one. I think there is someone hare who prefers the edge these stones give to a razor.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Use a very fine oil, like sewing machine oil and know it's going to take a lot of strokes to get the razor sharp. If you have any kind of chip you will want to work it out with a faster stone before doing the final sharpening up on this one. I think there is someone hare who prefers the edge these stones give to a razor.

You can also use a light vegetable oil like rapeseed (canola) oil. If you are trying to work out a chip, you will probably want something that cuts faster.

Well I did it. My first honing job, and it was a success! I honed my Shumate Dollar razor that had a visible chip in the blade. It took me all day to do on this stone, but I wouldn't have it any other way. This stone allowed me to develop my technique without ruining the razor. The chip is gone and I even looked at the edge under a microscope.....it looks straight and smooth without ridges. I think I am going to strop it and give it a go tomorrow. P.S. this will be my first straight shave.

Congratulations!!!

Your posts really bring me back. I honed my first straight on my Arkansas stones...didn't spend a full day, but I did spend a couple of hours at a time most evenings over a week. In the end, I brought an ebay special 'Silberstahl' razor to the point where it gave an acceptable shave. Turns out it was a fantastic razor with a great edge off those slow cutting Arkansas stones...during the first couple of weeks shaving, it was my technique that was in need of honing .

Here's hoping that you derive as much pleasure from you new obsession as I have. Now you can start to acquire all of the accessories (many...many accessories).

Cheers,
Ed