Thread: Arkansas oil stone

Originally Posted by kalerolf

Today again some time working the stone. Now many times the razor (50 times) on the stone honed, and it seems that the razor is sharper. Not quite a smooth shave but it's a start. By the way it is a black Arkansas stone. thanks for the help so far, i let it knows how it goes.

That's encouraging that it's getting sharper, that would seem to indicate that your bevel is in good shape. However, black arkansas stones are very very slow so you may need a few hundred more laps to sharpen it fully. Once it's completely sharp then don't ever let it get dull, as soon as you notice it losing some of its sharpness then you should give the razor another 10 or 20 laps on the arkansas.

I second MParkers thoughts.

I used a black Arkansa for a long time. Its very slow going. until I learned what even finer stones could do, I never knew I could have a better edge, and shaved off just that. But it takes sooooooo long!

I have quite a few Arkies, I used to be a distributor for Jim Hall, I don't recommend them for razors, other than nicks and resto work. Even the Surgical black isn't fine enough.....But that's me.....

If its ALL you got, its Just Fine!

Another +1 on mparkers advice.
Sounds like you're nearly there

Hi just curious, is that an Arkansas hone ?

It kind of looks like it could be a Translucent, go into a dark room and shine a flashlight through the stone, if the light seems to penetrate the stone it very well could be a Ark Translucent

The fractures appear to hint that it's some type of a novaculite.

Yea, looks like a translucent. Clean with oven cleaner, soak in a good degreaser, like Simple Green and water until all the oil is released.

Lap on 60 grit, lose Silicon Carbide, work up to 2k wet and dry. Once flat it goes fairly quickly.