Thread: Arkansas Stones

Originally Posted by icaruswasright

nice rock collection!

so I'm wondering how the arkansas stones compare to, say, the norton 4/8, and why would you recommend the norton over the arkansas for a beginner? I know there is variation among natural stones but could someone give an estimate of the grit for the black or translucent stones? which would make a good sharpener, polisher, or finisher? I'm also interested in the soft and hard arkansas for general sharpening of knives and having a full set would be neat. thanks guys.

when i use my translucent or black ark i'm coming off my sgs 16k and finishing on trans or black. the ark are super slow so in order to cut the laps down to around 125-200 i go the synthetic route. 1k 2k 5k 8k 16k to the trans/black. if i came off the hard ark to the trans/black laps go up to 250-400. as for the grit norton has them at 1200 but that because of the size of the grit of the stone. ark dont break down they wear smooth so the razor edge come's in around 8k+. it's a very different feeling shave(in a good way) but every stone is different because they are natural stones, but to get the most out of any ark stone you have to know how to prep the stone and thats alot more typing !

Originally Posted by icaruswasright

nice rock collection!

so I'm wondering how the arkansas stones compare to, say, the norton 4/8, and why would you recommend the norton over the arkansas for a beginner? I know there is variation among natural stones but could someone give an estimate of the grit for the black or translucent stones? which would make a good sharpener, polisher, or finisher? I'm also interested in the soft and hard arkansas for general sharpening of knives and having a full set would be neat. thanks guys.

If your bevel is even from heel to toe on your razor, and you have a little experience, then it can take just a few minutes completely hone the razor on the Norton. I haven't used arks for razors but if the lap counts the other members have mentioned are correct, then it would take me hours to hone a razor on arkansas stones.

Next reason for the norton is cost. 8x3 bench stones are expensive. The soft/black 8x3 benchstone is 95$ at Halls proedge. The Norton is less than that the last time I checked. I guess you could just spend the 20 or so dollars for one of the 4" stones on ragweed forge. In that case you would save a lot of money, but I really think it's apples to oranges between that and a 8x3 norton.

Also the Norton is a very popular stone and you will be able to get more info about honing on it than any other stone.

So I think in the end the Norton will be faster and cheaper, plus a little easier to get into. Of course that's only my opinion and I'm not super experienced....

----Michael

I think the ark trans and from what i read the black is strickly a polisher. Small stones are had to hone on. More so for a biginner. One wrong move and you will kill your edge. If the laps dont bother you a C12K is very cheap or get the arki. Then sit back and wiat for HAD to come knocking at your door. Lol!

Damn the RAD, reading this I'm starting to get HAD. I've always had a facination with Arkansas stones (Kinda wished I hadda bought me an Arkansas Toothpick before they got expensive, and then banned here as well, but that's another topic.)


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Damn the RAD, reading this I'm starting to get HAD. I've always had a facination with Arkansas stones (Kinda wished I hadda bought me an Arkansas Toothpick before they got expensive, and then banned here as well, but that's another topic.)


Mick

I saw the typo. I ment HAD. Banned? I would love to know why

Originally Posted by icaruswasright

Hello, I am new to straight razors and honing, and am wondering if anyone has any experience with the finer grades of Arkansas stones for sharpening razors. I am drawn to natural stones and the Arkansas stones are a good value from Ragweed Forge (my usual knife supplier). I've gotten my razor (an erik anton berg) to shave with my current sharpening gear (a medium/fine diamond plate and a viking whetstone necklace, both from ragweed, and an illinois #827 russian strop from classic shaving), but would love real benchstones to use, and know that a truly phenomenal shave awaits me with the right stone. So, anyone used the black/translucent arkansas stones for their razors? or do you have any other recommendations for natural stones for someone for whom 50$ is a major purchase (arkansas bench stones are 17$)?

The Norton 4k/8k is a better bet.

Good Arkansas hones that are dense enough (black or translucent) are expensive or small.

A new Arkansas hone will often have a surface that needs to be cleaned
up so the saw marks are removed and the edges relieved before it is good
for razors.

Some razors respond to the better Arkansas hones well but the very hard
razors not so much. A Norton 4k/8k combo water stone will just work.

If you have an Arky now by all means give it a try. By selecting a good honing
oil you can improve the way it hones. A light touch helps.

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

I saw the typo. I ment HAD. Banned? I would love to know why

They're double edged. Makes them a dagger, and daggers are banned imports in this country now. If I can find one within the country I can buy it, but I can't bring one in from overseas. Any knife with a partial or fully sharpened second edge is considered a Dagger by our Customs numbskulls. Even if it is plainly a Bowie knife with a swedge (Partial edge from tip to spine).


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

They're double edged. Makes them a dagger, and daggers are banned imports in this country now. If I can find one within the country I can buy it, but I can't bring one in from overseas. Any knife with a partial or fully sharpened second edge is considered a Dagger by our Customs numbskulls. Even if it is plainly a Bowie knife with a swedge (Partial edge from tip to spine).


Mick

Wow. You gotta love the gov for protecting us from a deadly hone! Like gun laws. Hello! Criminals dont care about the law.

Originally Posted by icaruswasright

nice rock collection!

so I'm wondering how the arkansas stones compare to, say, the norton 4/8, and why would you recommend the norton over the arkansas for a beginner? I know there is variation among natural stones but could someone give an estimate of the grit for the black or translucent stones? which would make a good sharpener, polisher, or finisher? I'm also interested in the soft and hard arkansas for general sharpening of knives and having a full set would be neat. thanks guys.

You can get a 10 x 3 x 1 Hard Ark for about 49.00 with shipping. A Soft Ark in the same size would run about the same..
They're both really nice for tuning up and finishing kitchen knives and straights. Having a Black or Trans Ark would be the final step - but they cost more.
Some may prefer the Norton combo stones over Arks for straights, but they are synthetics - and it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges in one sense. On the other hand - they both sharpen things so there is that to consider.

As noted above - lap counts with Arks can be high at times - they are not 'fast' stones. They are hard and unforgiving - but the edge from a well dressed black or trans Ark is hard to beat in my opinion. Of course this all depends on how dialed into the stone one is, and so on.

I have had excellent resultes coming off of 10k and 12k synths and going to the black Arkie.. I've had even better results from other combos; coticule, greenish Escher - then black Ark....

The black and translucent stones cut very very little - if at all. IMO - they're best used to polish and dress the edge to a sublime skin-friendly level of keen-nees. If the edge is not properly prepared for that stage - it can take forever to get anywhere.

thanks for all your helpful responses guys, there's just so much info to wrap one's head around. I'm intrigued with the idea of restoring old razors found at estate sales and auctions, and I'm thinking that I'll spring for soft and hard arkansas bench stones from ragnar, and a norton 4/8, based on your replies. Combined with my strop I'll have a complete setup for restoring any edge to razor keenness, and that includes my knives and axes! Perhaps someday I'll move up to a super-fine natural to get that extra dreamy shave... someday.