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Rediscovering Arkansas Stones

B

Bighaze51

Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
1,029
So I've got all kinds of sharpening stones that I've used over the years ( diamond grit, waterstones , ceramics) that I've used. My first set was an old Smiths set I "liberated" from my dad. Well, he didn't use it and said I could have it. However, I was never able to get a decent edge from these things. It's a soft and hard arkansas set that comes in the little brown case. Well, I dug this little kit out the other day to see what I could do with one of my great grandpas case knives I recently inherited. Let me tell you, that old carbon steel LOVES arkansas stones. I was getting hair whittling edges straight off the stone. Over the last few days, I've sharpened everyone of my old slipjoint knives and they are all scary sharp now. It's amazing the difference in the edges I can get on these stones now that my brain understands how to freehand sharpen. It just another option I now have to sharpen. :)
 
Agreed. Carbon on Translucent is fairly amazing.
umQd6Yi.jpg
 
That's a sweet combo right there! I'm seriously think of getting a trans black stone to finish of my grit progression
 
I've been wanting a nice translucent Ark stone but they are so expensive.

I still have my original medium Arkansas stone, it needs a good lapping but I might have to do that today and give it a spin.
 
With the harder steels we have today, most people either get very frustrated or just overlook the Arkansas stones altogether. However, if you have some simpler carbon or stainless steels, the Arkansas stones are a joy. I have all of the grades from the coarse Washita down to a very fine surgical black with many duplicates in between. I have diamonds and ceramics, but give me GOOD Arkansas stones anyday to use on some carbon steel or simple stainless and I'm happy. I also compliment mine with some India stones as well when I have to rebevel.

Jason B,
Yeah you really need a good translucent or a good black to appreciate these stones in order to compliment that soft Arkansas you already have. You might even push those waterstones to the side for a while.:D

Chris
 
CLuttrell said:
With the harder steels we have today, most people either get very frustrated or just overlook the Arkansas stones altogether. However, if you have some simpler carbon or stainless steels, the Arkansas stones are a joy. I have all of the grades from the coarse Washita down to a very fine surgical black with many duplicates in between. I have diamonds and ceramics, but give me GOOD Arkansas stones anyday to use on some carbon steel or simple stainless and I'm happy. I also compliment mine with some India stones as well when I have to rebevel.

Jason B,
Yeah you really need a good translucent or a good black to appreciate these stones in order to compliment that soft Arkansas you already have. You might even push those waterstones to the side for a while.:D

Chris
Click to expand...

Ive used most except a translucent though it's been many years. Highly doubt I will push the waterstones aside, I also have japanese naturals so while I don't use them too often I am firmiliar with natural stones ;)
 
Jason B. said:
I've been wanting a nice translucent Ark stone but they are so expensive.

I still have my original medium Arkansas stone, it needs a good lapping but I might have to do that today and give it a spin.
Click to expand...

The one in the photo cost me 110.00
6 x 3 x 1/2. The stone was hand picked to what I requested, then cut and finished. Photos were sent to me of three different stones, and I was allowed to choose the one I wanted.
The others were nice, but this one was high grade.

I use it as a finish stone, but I've taken Bohler n690 from dull to sharp in about 10 minutes, just to see. Do not know how it would perform on something like s30v, don't have such a knife, performs well on 440c though, also. I've gone from stainless to carbon steel customs in 01 tool, and never looked back. All the super steels are fine and dandy. My preference is 01 tool.

They are also pretty to look at if you find a colorful one.
Since you enjoy sharpening, you owe yourself a high grade translucent for your arsenal. You only live once.

bdVSIx6.jpg
 
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I was looking at a 8x3in (or close to that size) but the bill was $380 :eek:

I will pick one up eventually, my next big stone purchase was actually going to be a new grinder, 1x42 Kalamazoo. Maybe after that I will cave to my temptation.
 
Jason B. said:
I've been wanting a nice translucent Ark stone but they are so expensive.

I still have my original medium Arkansas stone, it needs a good lapping but I might have to do that today and give it a spin.
Click to expand...

Google hard Arkansas stone. I've seen me going on sharpeningsupplies.com for like $40-$60.

Arkansas is a great finisher for non-high end steel. Carbon steel and things like 440 series, Aus 8 etc gets super sharp off them.
 
yepimonfire said:
Google hard Arkansas stone. I've seen me going on sharpeningsupplies.com for like $40-$60.

Arkansas is a great finisher for non-high end steel. Carbon steel and things like 440 series, Aus 8 etc gets super sharp off them.
Click to expand...


The stone grade is not to my standard. If I'm buying a high quality Ark stone and someone gives me a price that low I know there is something wrong.
 
Jason B. said:
I was looking at a 8x3in (or close to that size) but the bill was $380 :eek:

I will pick one up eventually, my next big stone purchase was actually going to be a new grinder, 1x42 Kalamazoo. Maybe after that I will cave to my temptation.
Click to expand...

Here's an 8 x 2 x 1, on the bay. Looked like someone glued it into the box, bid on it is about 90 bucks.
Looks like a nice one.
 
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Not allowed to use auction site links, you should remove that soon.

I like wider stones so that's where I get shafted on price. If I was not so picky that stone would be mine, lol.
 
Jason B. said:
Not allowed to use auction site links, you should remove that soon.

I like wider stones so that's where I get shafted on price. If I was not so picky that stone would be mine, lol.
Click to expand...

Didn't know about the link thing.
Yeah when they get 3 inches or wider the prices zoom like a 600mm lens.
I got lucky on mine. Id' like to have had a larger one, but they are rare to find with the coloration. Had to take what I could get.
 
Before I bought my Wicked Edge, a couple years ago, all I ever used was Arkansas Stones and a leather strop. While it took forever to sharpen a knife from dull to sharp, it did produce a mean edge. I would definitely never reprofile my blades with Arkansas stones, they were and are the bees knees with regards to general edge maintenance.
 
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