Anybody actually own and use a big translucent Arkansas stone?

U

Uncle Bill

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
434
I see them in catalogues for $130.00 and wonder if anyone really uses them. If so, what do they give you that isn't possible with, say, a Sharpmaker 204 followed by a good hard strop and fine honing compound?

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Bill

Unfortunate but Increasingly Necessary Disclaimer:

While this post likely contains incorrect information, fuzzy logic, poor grammar and misspelled words, what it does not contain is intentional malevolence toward anyone.


 
Hmm. I seem to be responding to a lot of Uncle Bill's posts... great minds, etc. I have a small translucent Arkansas stone which I used to use for finishing; also a big (10" x 4") very old ultra-hard Arkansas stone probably 80+ years old (got it from a great uncle who was a carpenter) that seems to be almost the same except it's not translucent, at least not any more after years of being sluiced with machine oil. Still perfectly flat; it would do for sharpening a straight razor. Haven't used either much though since I discovered DMT's diamond hones, which work better for me, don't require oil, and I have yet to wear one out. They just seem to keep cutting better, and I've used them for about seven or eight years now.
 
Mine's not translucent, but it is a good stone. I certainly didn't pay that much for it! I live in Arkansas and have had the stone for several years. I will most likely be buying the Sharpmaker 204, however, because I have heard such good things about it, and I think it will yield a more consistent angle.

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Chris Turner
Arkansas

"We Don't Rent Pigs" --Augustus McCrae

"I won't abide rude behavior in a man." -- Woodrow Call

 
since getting my sharpmaker a few years ago, havent used the old stones at all. No way could I keep the angle as constant

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

Dave
Wharton,NJ


 
The stone that I have was given to me about 32 years ago by a friend that picked up some end pieces where they were cutting the stone in Arkansas. It is about the size of your hand and about 1 1/2" thick. I only used water on it and it was use for honing only. It would leave a mirrow edge on the blade and the edge would last longer than if not honed. I bought a small EZ Lap fine grit about 15 years ago and that is what I have been using for touch up. I use the sanding belt and buffer for most of my sharpening now. The damascus and hand finished blades get diamond stones after the belt. I guess I have gotten a little lazy in my knife sharpening but it is fast and it works for me. I still have the old stone and it still reminds me of my old friend. Ray Kirk RAKER Knives
 
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