Thread: Honing w Hard Arkansas stone (aluminum oxide)?

Originally Posted by tdaugh

I just ran into an aluminum oxide Mundial hard Arkansas stone (white). Because of the price of the stone, i figured I had noting to lose. It seems to be of good quality. Does anyone out there have any experience with these, or use the frequently? Is it recommended to lap this type of stone?

thanks

Travis

I use a hard Arkansas stone. It works well for me as the final stone before going to a canvas then leather strop. I lapped mine, but I'm not so sure perfect flatness is really all that important.

Cheers,
Jeff

If your stone feels like very fine sandpaper, then it's probably a "soft" Arkansas stone. If so, it's performance will be similar to a 2000 grit waterstone.

If your stone feels about like rough writing paper, and doesn't look a little glassy then it's probably a "hard" Arkansas stone. If so, it's performance will be similar to a 6000 grit waterstone (but slower).

If it feels very smooth and looks a little glassy (hard to tell from the pic), then it's a "translucent" Arkansas stone. If so, it's performance will be similar to a 10,000 grit waterstone (but much much slower).

IMO, the Arkansas stones give a slightly better cutting, and longer lasting edge than waterstones - but honing take about 5 times longer. On the other hand, they are so hard that you only have to lap them once.

Originally Posted by tdaugh

Ah my mistake... it is not aluminum oxide. Attached are a coule pics of the stone. I believe to be an hard arkansas, not extra fine. So once this stone is properly lapped, do you use it primarily as a finishing stone? Would it serve well for occasional touch ups as well? I'm also curious what you have found to be effective material to lap this stone with. From what I'm beginning to understand, I'm wondering if using this stone is worth the effort...

Hard Arkies are normally white, That almost looks like a translucent or soft. Soft are pink. I have all the Arkansas stones, Even the tri hone system. They work for the occasional damaged razors, but that's it. Not good for shaving off at all. Use em for your hunting knives, Kitchen knives etc...Even the finest arkie, Surgical and Translucent only come to about 1200 grit...

Rich

Originally Posted by JeffR

I use a hard Arkansas stone. It works well for me as the final stone before going to a canvas then leather strop. I lapped mine, but I'm not so sure perfect flatness is really all that important.

Cheers,
Jeff

You shave off a Hard Arkansas Stone....? Not even the Surgical Black or Translucent, but the hard arkie...WoW.....
Well, You are the man......!

I'd love to finish one of your blades on my Nakayama so you can feel the difference.......

Harbor freight has some import diamond plates for around 15 bucks for a set of 3 grits. They are not dead flat but will hog off some material to get you started in the right direction and at least let you know how much work will be involved, with out trashing a good diamond hone. Then re-mark with pencil and use wet dry paper & a marble tile to finish. It will take some work and paper.

You’re just looking to get rid of the high spots for now. Mark and lap both sides to see which one will require less work. Then try it, naturals are a crap shoot, you may get a great one. It is impossible to tell from a photo. But does look like a nice, big stone. I love those big arks.

Put some steel to it and have fun. Worst case is, you have a great Kitchen knife hone.

Marty

Originally Posted by zib

You shave off a Hard Arkansas Stone....? Not even the Surgical Black or Translucent, but the hard arkie...WoW.....
Well, You are the man......!

I'd love to finish one of your blades on my Nakayama so you can feel the difference.......

*laugh* No doubt the Nakayama gives a finer edge, I'm not sufferin' with the Arkansas stone, but it's probably more realistic to say that I'm shaving off of the canvas strop's edge. The edge off of the Arkansas is very sharp, but the smoothness comes from the canvas and leather. I find that the strops are essential; maybe not so much with the finer stones.

I'm a little wary of trying out finer stones. I've shaved with a razor that had a coticule edge. It was indeed very nice... Must... Resist... HAD.. *laugh*

Best Regards,
Jeff

Originally Posted by JeffR

*laugh* No doubt the Nakayama gives a finer edge, I'm not sufferin' with the Arkansas stone, but it's probably more realistic to say that I'm shaving off of the canvas strop's edge. The edge off of the Arkansas is very sharp, but the smoothness comes from the canvas and leather. I find that the strops are essential; maybe not so much with the finer stones.

I'm a little wary of trying out finer stones. I've shaved with a razor that had a coticule edge. It was indeed very nice... Must... Resist... HAD.. *laugh*

Best Regards,
Jeff

MMmmmm Coticule edge...!

Originally Posted by JeffR

*laugh* No doubt the Nakayama gives a finer edge, I'm not sufferin' with the Arkansas stone, but it's probably more realistic to say that I'm shaving off of the canvas strop's edge. The edge off of the Arkansas is very sharp, but the smoothness comes from the canvas and leather. I find that the strops are essential; maybe not so much with the finer stones.

I'm a little wary of trying out finer stones. I've shaved with a razor that had a coticule edge. It was indeed very nice... Must... Resist... HAD.. *laugh*

Best Regards,
Jeff

heh, a coti edge aint got nothin on a good Japanese stone edge... not even close. I hear talk in the dark corners of HAD that there are certain J-nat's that are even better than you could imagine.