- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 6,642
I've recently been putting some fine edge knives into my daily rotation to see how they hold up ( I generally prefer a fairly coarse edge for longevity/utility) and to this end my hard Arkansas (semi translucent) has been seeing a fair bit of use. I've taken to lapping it occasionally if it starts to appear dingy or feels like it might be getting a little clogged - I only use water with a little dish soap for lubricant when sharpening. I usually employ a Smith's fine diamond stone for this job and it always seems to make a difference that can be felt on the stone and in how easily it will impart a decent edge. It will leave most steels very sharp, not quite hair whittling, but just shy - can dry shave (albeit uncomfortably) the stubble off my face, and with a little work on a barber's hone will be capable of whittling.
I recently lapped it with a DMT extra fine stone instead of the usual fine stone and lo and behold it changed some the Arkansas' characteristics. First off it was a lot quieter and has less drag (you can see where I'm going with this) It also imparted a much higher polish to the edge, and even with some extra pressure failed to raise a visible burr. The edge itself is much more refined, almost as bright as what comes off my Belgian coticule - and with casual testing seems to be about as sharp.
Does anyone know if an Arkansas can be lapped to an even higher level, say with the use of rottenstone or diamond lapping compound, and produce edges commensurate with the lapping media? I've never heard of this before, but at least some modest proof of this is sitting right next to me. Technically I believe these stones are rated by density, the surface polish of each stone is something that I never thought too much about before.
I recently lapped it with a DMT extra fine stone instead of the usual fine stone and lo and behold it changed some the Arkansas' characteristics. First off it was a lot quieter and has less drag (you can see where I'm going with this) It also imparted a much higher polish to the edge, and even with some extra pressure failed to raise a visible burr. The edge itself is much more refined, almost as bright as what comes off my Belgian coticule - and with casual testing seems to be about as sharp.
Does anyone know if an Arkansas can be lapped to an even higher level, say with the use of rottenstone or diamond lapping compound, and produce edges commensurate with the lapping media? I've never heard of this before, but at least some modest proof of this is sitting right next to me. Technically I believe these stones are rated by density, the surface polish of each stone is something that I never thought too much about before.
