Arkansas Stone is Great

batosai117

batosai117

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Jun 5, 2007
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I just bought a Smith's Arkansas Stone today (medium grit) and it's great :thumbup:. I've been using a diamond rod this whole time, and this stone is really amazing.

I put a drop or two of 3-in-1 oil on the stone and just started sharpening knife after knife.....after knife....after knife....until I ran out of knives to sharpen :eek:. Excellent way of sharpening, and it seems to polish the edge rather than leave it scratched up the way a diamond rod/stone does.

The Arkansas stone left that "factory edge" on all of my knives, and I recommend using one of these :).
 
I recently picked up a 6x2" Lansky Hard Arkansas stone,
great results also. $17.00 - Highly recommended. -Ron

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5510

LBS6H.jpg
 
You should check out Smith's 3 in one stone setup if stones are your thing (which they seem like they quickly are becoming your favorite :) ). It has a course, medium, and fine stone on a triangle with a drip pan below it to catch all of the oil/water. Rotate it to switch between the stones.

I've got a Smith's precision kit with a clamp jig - I highly reccomend it.
 
This is funny (interesting). I have been using stones for 40 yrs and recently switched over to diamond for most stuff. It is much easier to finish a blade off with the stones if the prep work is done on diamonds.

Different strokes I guess...
 
I thinke we're on the same page here. I like the diamonds
for reprofiling, setting the bevel etc. "Prep work". Once that
is done I can get a sharper edge with fine stones. If I keep
the edges sharp I rarely need to go back to the diamonds.
 
I "learned" to sharpen for about 20 years. :eek::cool::D I tried on EVERYTHING! I finally figured it out on my grandfather's stones, and to celebrate, I purchased a set of 4 Arkansas stones. The VERY BEST stones I have ever used. I like my stones! :thumbup::D

Matt
 
kelbro said:
This is funny (interesting). I have been using stones for 40 yrs and recently switched over to diamond for most stuff. It is much easier to finish a blade off with the stones if the prep work is done on diamonds.

Different strokes I guess...
Click to expand...

Looks like we started out backwards :D. Like you and 440hard said, the diamond rod/stones are great for putting that new bevel or getting that old edge back. Then the arkansas stones are excellent for getting that extra sharpness on there.

When I first started sharpening with my diamond rod, I was able to get an edge on just about anything, no matter how old or dull. I'm just amazed now on what I've been missing now that I have an arkansas stone to put a "real" edge on my knives.
 
I've been thinking about getting an Arkansas stone lately. For big jobs that will require taking off a lot of metal, diamonds are the only way I'll go. But for finishing off the edge, I'd love to have a huge Arkansas stone. They just seem so cool and fun.

My problem is that sharpening products almost never get to the top of my priority list when I have the extra cash to spend :o.
 
I use some Arkansas stones that belonged to my dad. At least 30 years old, and put a great edge on a knife.
 
30 years ago I taught myself to sharpen blades using Arkansas stones. I still use them to this day. I see all these newfangled sharpening kits out there... Spyderco, EdgePro, whatever... I can only assume they do a good job and make things easier, but I like to take the time to do it the old-fashioned way. It's very meditative.
 
I'm not a sharpening master, but I've bought and used some different sharpening products and the absolutely best for finishing is the Dan's black arkansas stone. Pure magic. Love it.
 
308sniper said:
Can some please pass on the proper procedure for using Arkansas stones. Thanks
Click to expand...

I know I'm new to using an arkansas stone, but I'm sure the way that I use it is the same as others.

1. get your stone and some oil/water (I use 3-in-1)
2. I put a strip of oil along the length of the stone that I'm going to use
3. get your knife
4. place the base of the blade (closest to the handle) on the stone with the edge facing away from you
5. be sure the original blade angle is flat on the stone - in other words, place the knife flat on the stone and raise it up until the gap between the blade and the stone is no longer visible
6. now push the knife away from yourself acting like you are trying to cut a thin strip of the stone
7. after the initial stroke, place the knife at the top of the stone (opposite end you started on) and pull it towards you getting the other angle
8. again be sure the original blade angle is flat on the stone or else you'll just make it dull or possible change the angle and effectiveness
9. repeat 1:1 ratios until the knife is shaving the hairs off your ass.

Hope this helps, J.
 
I use DMT diamond hones 99% of the time -- I find they work best on relatively complex alloyed blades (ATS-34, D2, S30V, VG-10). For high carbon, though -- 1095, Carbon V, 52100 -- a black Arkansas stone seems to impart the best edge. Diamond hones work on carbon steel almost as well, but the natural stone seems to impart micro-serrations that are beyond what the DMTs do. Then again, the black Arkansas does not work quite as well on the alloyed blades.
 
i used ark stones for yrs but imho they arent so great for lots of the newer steels like S30V and such, i mostly use diamonds now.
 
Ark has a wonderful feedback to it

How much oil ARE you supposed to use? Enough to leave a puddle on top or a thin film?
 
i liked a puddle, more than a film for sure, seemed to make it work a little better, i like to use a thin film of WD40 on my norton india stone though.
 
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