Sharpening dry with Arkansas translucent stone

B

BillL

Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
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I've always read about someone using an Arkansas black or translucent stone and getting an extremely polished edge. I sharpen with a translucent stone and I can see with a 10 X magnifier that the edge isn't all that polished. It looks pretty scratched up with very clear scratches. The knife is sharp though although probably not extremely sharp. I was using a stainless steel Mora.
 
Arkansas stones come in all different quality levels, even among the translucent and surgical black. That said, maybe it just needs more break-in or some lapping with a fine grit. Coming off the translucent or surgical black with a bit of stropping it should be pretty much hair-whittling. Also, I always use water or dish soap on these stones. While many have good luck with them dry, I find they glaze and plug far too easily without some lube - also increases feedback IMO.
 
The stone may need more sharpening to break it in. Also, stroke it a lot. The edge should take on a shine and be very sharp. They don't cut fast. Plus, it depends on what grit stone was used on it prior. DM
 
BillL said:
I've always read about someone using an Arkansas black or translucent stone and getting an extremely polished edge. I sharpen with a translucent stone and I can see with a 10 X magnifier that the edge isn't all that polished. It looks pretty scratched up with very clear scratches. The knife is sharp though although probably not extremely sharp. I was using a stainless steel Mora.
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I just got done using my new translucent with Smith's "Honing Solution". The honing solution is some sort of oil and it was all I had on hand. Anyway, I was touching up my Martiini M571 so this is in the same range as the Mora you were using. I had previously used a coticule. By contrast, the Arkansas did a very good job polishing the edge and the whole bevel is much more "mirrored" than it was before. I only spent about 20 minutes, but the end result was a nicer bevel and sharper edge. I didn't look with a microscope, but when I was cutting arm hairs before and after, before I could feel a slight tug, after I felt nothing. This thing just slices clean.

All in all, it improved the edge off a coticule. I am happy with it. For what its worth, I bought from Dan's.
 
bonus, I have noticed Dan's puts out good quality stones, well finished. The two grades you mention ( Translucent and blue coticule) are close. The Belgium yellow is written as a hair better. Perhaps closer to the deep black Arkansas. DM
 
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