Black and Translucent Arkie?

[akee]

Apart from the colour, what are the difference between a Translucent and a Black Arkansas stone? Which do you prefer?

Just got me a Norton black bench stone, was wondering if it's as good compare the translucent one?

Thanks,
akee

 

[TorzJohnson]

They're generally viewed as being the same grade of stone, just different colors. I've read a post where Newt Livesay said the black stones are better, and once A.G. Russell wrote that he'd found that the black stones, by weight/volume to be a slightly finer grade. I think when you get to that level you won't notice much difference. There is also a bit of overlap with the stone qualities in regards to color. I have a gray, non-translucent arkansas stone that's at least as fine as my black one.

BTW where did you get your Norton black arkansas? I can't find any on the net.

 

[akee]

Got it from Ebay sometime back. Thanks for the reply.

 

[roshi]

Check out www.handamerican.com

 

[yuzuha]

Here's another interesting link http://home.pacifier.com/~davewe/The_Joys_of_Arkansas_Stones.htm

some for sale http://www.ghost-cat.com/sharpeshoppe/arkansas.htm (black and translucent... they also sell Japanese sword-polishing waterstones)
Garett Wade has various sizes of unboxed translucent stones.

 

[TorzJohnson]

Thanks for the tips guys but I was interested in Norton arkansas stones in particular.