Let's Talk Arkansas Stones

I don't know, once I saw the package, everything else was a blur

 

I was sitting and Veging in front of the TV. I was thinking of what to shave with. I decided to try my Black Diamond again. I figured I would give it a go on the Arkie. It is a great way to pass time.

Will be shaving later tonight with it.


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Tom: looks like you need the hurry up and get that razor in action

 

I used it last night. The Arkie finish did not disappoint.


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Billy where do you find these things. I like her gyrations a LOT


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Billy..

 

I do not recognize that Scotch? I bet it was yummy.


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Both of these razors needed a touch up. I honed on the Norton 4/8k, skipped the usual 1 micron lapping film and went straight to the Arkie. I did a side-by-side comparison. The Challenge Cutlery (U.S.) vs. G. Johnson,Sheffield (U.K). Three passes the U.S. on the right side and the U.K, on the left.
The Challenge Cutlery seemed a little sharper, perhaps more of a "crisp" feel, whereas the Sheffield felt more smooth. Bottom line: results were bbs and identical face feel. Both ended up with excellent edges coming off the 8k directly to the Arkie. Actually this is the best edge I have been able to get on the Sheffield razor. He's been a problem child to hone; till now

 

Sheffield Hollow Grinds Need Some Care on an Arkie..They Don't Like High Grit Finishers in General..12/16 K is Optimal for Hollow Grind Sheffield's..A Well Lapped Arkie Can Take them Out to 20 K..Depending on the Amount of Sets Used..So Less Sets & Keeping Tabs on the Feel or Sharpness of the Edge is Key When Honing Sheffield Hollow Grinds on an Arkie...

Billy..

 

I started Shaving this morning and it wasn't great.
I knew that it should be better than this.
I had a thought...
And so I stopped and stropped my razor.
It went butter smooth after that.

Obviously I had forgotten to strop my razor after all that honing.

It was one of those "DOH!" moments.
I felt like such an idiot.

 

I've had those moments, when I have to hone several razors. When in doubt, just hone it again, or strop it again.

 

If any of you guys are on the fence about acquiring an Arkie; check the BST for a great deal on a new one.

 

Lovely stone, Keith.

 

I just picked up two new Arkansas stones. A gentleman on facebook purchased a lot of seconds from Dan's Whetstones. These are stones that had cosmetic flaws once cut, so the final lapping was never done on them. I need to order some more SIC powder, because I don't want to spend the next three years getting the saw marks out. Once I have these lapped, my full Arkansas progression will include Washita, Soft, Hard, Surgical Black, Translucent. As long as the lapping comes out good, the 8x2 translucent will replace my current 4x2 translucent. The Washita should allow me to go from my 3k or 5k stones to the Arks pretty easily, but I might play with it and see if it will set a bevel.

 

I take it that the Washita is on the top, and that's a Translucent on the bottom? What are their sizes??

 

Yes. The Washita is 2x6, and the Translucent is 2x8. both are about 3/4 of an inch thick.

 

My wife gave me a 2X6 surgical black last night for an anniversary gift. Now I have to start doing some reading to figure out how to use it.