Thread: BLACK Arkansas Stone

I have started to hone my new Dovo first with 800 grt then finishing with a 1000 grt water stone. And of course I now need a much finer finish stone. I have found a Black Arkansas stone that is 8000 + grit and at a good price of under $30.00. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on this make of stone and will it be the right stone to finalize the Dovo's edge?

it will do the job but time consuming. Better buy coticule

4k king (IceBear) from woodcraft is suitable and only costs ~$25 + ship. It's rated in JIS so it's actually 8k Mesh. It will work off a 1k, however you will soon want a stepping stone to hasten progression that is in the 2-4k range. I still haven't decided which one to get. There are lots available, but most are $60+.

I hear a BBW can be that stepping stone and finish close to as well as an 8k, BBW + Coti definitely can, even better than 8k (by quite a bit I'd expect). So if you've got the money that may be the best way to go.

That said, that is a very good price on a black ark, unless it's very small. They make excellent finishers for knives (I suppose because the additional pressure you can use compensates for the slowness).

Originally Posted by sirwill

I have started to hone my new Dovo first with 800 grt then finishing with a 1000 grt water stone. And of course I now need a much finer finish stone. I have found a Black Arkansas stone that is 8000 + grit and at a good price of under $30.00. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on this make of stone and will it be the right stone to finalize the Dovo's edge?

Is your Dovo stainless or carbon steel?

Black Arkansas like most Arkansas stones can be very slow on stainless.
At the tooth/ grit of a black, slow can be good.

With any new stone including Arkansas stones of any type you will have to break it in and perhaps flatten it before you you put a good razor to it. You may not discover if the stone is any good until you use it for a while. Natural stones can vary a lot so the quality will be apparent only after you use it a lot.

If you are looking at a good 8" Black Arkansas for $30 you have found a bargain in my opinion. Even if you end up using it only for kitchen knives