stones

[williamsld8]

I don't care much for water stones because I like a stone that doesn't wear. Is it possible using a medium arkansas stone and then a fine arkansas stone to achieve the same edge and sharpness that you can achieve using a combination of all those crazy multi-thousand grit stones?

 

[Modoc ED]

You can get a very good, sharp, edge using a soft (medium) Arkansas stone and then a hard (fine) Arkansas stone. It will take you longer (a lot longer in some cases) than it would using diamond stones but it can be done. With enough practice, time, and patience, you can get an edge using only these stones that will easily shave hair.

I have both stones and use them in conjunction with my combination coarse/fine India stone. The India stones wear very little with use.

 

[somber]

You can achieve an edge from concrete and cardboard... But if you're using something as a sharpening medium, I don't think it's possible to get one that won't eventually wear.

Good luck...

 

[David Martin]

Williams, I agree with Modoc . Also, using a SiC or diamond slurry on the Arkansas stone would increase the cutting of the stone, your efforts and decrease your sharpening time . As Arkansas's cuts slow . Good sharpening . DM

 

[fsatsil]

In my expereince Arkansas stones are great for low to midrange steels like 420HC, 440C, Aus8, carbon steels like 1095, 5160.....etc but for the harder steels like ZDP-189, S30V, S110V or even D2 they can be extremely slow, I wouldnt wanna do any reprofiling on Arkansas stones. I prefer diamond stones, they cut fast, last a long time, sharpen anything and stay flat they are hard to beat IMO. Even if you want to go with Ark stones id get at least one or two diamond stones for reprofiling work.