Thread: Help with this Hone!!!

OK I'm lost here, I bought a whetstone some 25 odd years ago, I want to say that the guy at the shoppe told me it was called a "Washita" stone I special ordered it for around $100. I was told that this one of the finest grits available anywhere???
The stone is 8"L x 2"W x 1"H... it is solid white, like pure marble, and very dense...
By feel, and by actual honing, it feels way smoother than my 8000 Norton
I was wondering if anyone actually has heard of something like this???
I used it for the first time on a razor last night after spending almost 30 minutes lapping it on a Norton lap stone to get it even, the stone is virtually unused because I could never get the edges even until last night...
The results were great on a DD special #1
Thanks for any responses in advance

Yes I have heard of it for knife sharpening but I don't know much about it. There are many alternatives to the usual suspects we all use. If your willing to experiment and take some chances who knows what new methods we will find out about. The important thing is it works for you.

"Washita" usually refers to the coarsest and softest Arkansas stone. They're about 500 grit I think and I doubt very much that you'd be getting good shaving results off a true Washita. Judging from your description of the stone (i.e. that it's marble-like), the price you paid for it and the results you're getting, I'd wager you have a translucent Arkansas, and that the shop guy wasn't clear on his terms. Because Arkansas stones are quarried near Washita, Arkansas, they're sometimes referred to generically as Washitas.

The translucent is supposed to be technically around 5-6K, but those who use them on razors say they "punch above their weight" and give good results as a fine finisher. Ask Michael (mparker) about them; he's had the most experience.