Thread: Arkansas Stones

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.