Thread: ARGH!

Originally Posted by Theseus

I too used an Arkie for many years( a surgical black to be exact) and still use it from time to time. When you learn how to use it right, it can leave an amazing edge on razors. Especially on harder American steel. They are slow though, so patience is required.

Theseus what your trick to using arkansas?

Originally Posted by Martin103

Theseus what your trick to using arkansas?

The barber I learned to hone from told me to lap one side with 400-600 grit sand paper and the other side up to 2000 grit. Start on the low grit side and work over to the high grit side. I usually did around 100 laps per side. Also use a thin oil such as sewing machine oil. While they can be worked with water, I find that I get much better results with the oil.

Originally Posted by Theseus

The barber I learned to hone from told me to lap one side with 400-600 grit sand paper and the other side up to 2000 grit. Start on the low grit side and work over to the high grit side. I usually did around 100 laps per side. Also use a thin oil such as sewing machine oil. While they can be worked with water, I find that I get much better results with the oil.

And you got a great edge using this method?

Originally Posted by Martin103

And you got a great edge using this method?

Yep. But as with all things honing it takes practice. The best advice I can give is to learn your stones. Arkansas stones, being natural, do vary from one stone to another, so any system may need to be tweaked to get the best results.

My pink Arkansas really likes a 50/50 water/Ballistol mix for razors. Just one possibility to experiment with.