Thread: Arkansas Stones

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$)?

I used a surgical black Arkansas for many years with my straights. They are slow but can give you a high quality finished edge. Another option is the Chinese water stone(sometimes known as a C12k or PHIg) that are sold through Woodcraft. These can vary a bit as all natural stones do. The important thing with any of these stones is to learn to use it correctly.

i do have a few ark's and the translucent and black are great but since your new i would suggest you go with a norton 4/8k and once you can get a great shave off of the 8k then step up to the ark's

Originally Posted by eleblu05

i do have a few ark's and the translucent and black are great but since your new i would suggest you go with a norton 4/8k and once you can get a great shave off of the 8k then step up to the ark's

I'm drooling over that pic. Hone porn!

+1 on the 4/8 Norton

------Michael

yes it is lol here's the rest i'll have to update this pic i have added a few since this pic

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.

I used to use a black Arky in the 80's. They will work as a finisher/polisher & very slowly. Unless your Berg is shave ready you will need other stones to make it so. Bergs can be very hard steel & Arks are slow cutters. If your patience exceeds your finances, they will do but be prepared for a long process.

Does that mean the black Arkansas can be used as a touch-up stone, like a barber's hone? What about the translucent?

Thanks

Ragnar's $17.00 Black Ark is 4.0" long. You'd be a lot happier with an 8" long Ark...
A 4" stone won't give you enough space to work with.

Originally Posted by Joegags

Does that mean the black Arkansas can be used as a touch-up stone, like a barber's hone? What about the translucent?Thanks

Yes you can, just many more laps. A barber hone generally takes 5 laps to refresh the edge. A black/translucent Arkie usually takes around 50 or more laps to get a good touch up.