Thread: Arkansas stone ???

I use Arkansas stones, medium and fine, and I use another stone that's a little more rough if needed. Is this good or bad ? or does it matter ? I cannot a afford razor hone that all seem to be 50$ plus let alone several grits

You can do it, but Arkansas stones are notoriously sloooow!

BTW: One of Murphy's laws of combat states:" If its stupid but works, it aint stupid!" So be prepared to take your time and go ahead and enjoy!

Have you successfully honed a razor on them ? If they work for you they are fine. Waterstones are more recommended but I have read of some forum members who have gotten by fine with Arkansas. They say that it is slower going but the results they report are satisfactory according to them.

Yeah they are satisfactory, and your right....they are sloooowww. thanks guys !

I'm operating on the cheap so far, definitely not having the hones most members here have. But, I am getting by with Arkansas whetstones as the beginning stone (unless the blade is in horrible shape.)

Here's my progression, with another apology for my poor man's approach...

* Arkansas whetstone to set the bevel.
* Barbers hone.
* Dovo red paste. (On balsa wood strop.)
* Dovo black paste. (On balsa wood strop.)
* Chromium Oxide 0.5 micron paste. (On balsa wood strop.)

And, then on to unpasted linen and leather stropping.

Everything above together cost me about $50. I do intend to slowly do things a bit more elegantly equipment-wise. But, for the moment I am getting consistent and pleasant BBS shaves.

Has anyone ever used the "Scary Sharp System," to sharpen a straight? I'm sharpening shop tools tomorrow morning and I'm going to give it a try. If it works, this is the cheapest method of sharpening that I've come across. Though I own a decent amount of stones, ( thanks to Dave from Japanese Knife Sharpening who turned me onto GS) Scary Sharp is always my prefered method for wood working tools. (though it maybe to my having learned to sharpen in such a way)

Anyway, I'll post my results and this could very well be a cheap solution.

Originally Posted by Carbonsteel928

Has anyone ever used the "Scary Sharp System," to sharpen a straight? I'm sharpening shop tools tomorrow morning and I'm going to give it a try. If it works, this is the cheapest method of sharpening that I've come across. Though I own a decent amount of stones, ( thanks to Dave from Japanese Knife Sharpening who turned me onto GS) Scary Sharp is always my prefered method for wood working tools. (though it maybe to my having learned to sharpen in such a way)

Anyway, I'll post my results and this could very well be a cheap solution.

It's been talked about here, a search will tell you that it's not thought to be very good for straight razors for a number of reasons like long term cost, longevity of the blade and edge, etc.

what said before me i am agree with them in some point.
They are right arkansas stone can do the job. The questions is do you have finest Arkansas stone will put the edge which will shave you as it supposte to shave?
If yes then i am sure you will be fine.
If not then you have a little problem
Problem is this you will shave and think this blade is shaves ok and that is all matter to you. You will miss True shaving edge. Shaving with shave ready edge is different feeling.That is the best part straight razor using .You love how it shaves and feeling on your face. i have seen people use straight ,2,3,4, months and never knowing how edge suppose to be. That is why if you have not done it Get 1 of your Blade sharpened and you can see how it shaves. That feeling is different and most people loves it .That is why very rare straight razor user goes back to DE (some will because never had nice shave with straight razor).
If you do have already razor sharpened by some pro's then ignore above . hope this helps.