Thread: Arkansas stones

Cox, you didn't say which type of 'Arkansas' stone you are looking at, they come in several different grades and some are harder than others. But if it's any help, I've had a "soft white" Arkansas stone for 35 years or so that started out 1/2" thick. It has had a lot of use, & still looks to be about 1/2" thick. They do wear, but very much more slowly than water stones. I think you can safely count on a lifetime's use out of such a stone. Be aware though, that Arkansas stones struggle with some of the hard steels like A2. They'll do the job, but it takes a while.

Cheers,

Hi Ian,

I was thinking of a whole set. Soft, hard white and hard black. I have seen a review by chris schwarz of dans whetstones. He said they will cut a2 and veritas new pmv-11, just a little slower.

Originally Posted by cox11

Hi Ian,

I was thinking of a whole set. Soft, hard white and hard black. I have seen a review by chris schwarz of dans whetstones. He said they will cut a2 and veritas new pmv-11, just a little slower.

Yes, they'll cut them, but I think I would use the adjective "much" rather than "a little" (slower). I found sharpening A2 on my Arkansas stones slow, and PMV11even slower. In fact I could not put an edge on a PMV11 blade that I was satisfied with, using my Arkansas stones, which is what drove me to water stones after 50 years of being an oilstone user.

It's a matter of weighing the pros & cons, and everyone has to make their own decisions. I still prefer my oilstones for sharpening those steels that respond to them well.....

Cheers,

Well I guess sharpening chisels and plane blades will be the first thing I teach my 15mo son. That way I don't have to worry about how long it takes to sharpen them

Why not just try it out with some of the secondhand oilstones you can find around ... if they are flat or close?
You can probably get a good idea of how you'll like them for $5-$30.
Even those modern coarse - just a bit less than coarse stones in Bunnings with a rubbish chisel will give you an idea.

If you're gunna start out with nice chisels, rather than cheap and resuscitate, then maybe a different plan!

Diamond stones and waterstones are also popular - and so easy and non-controversial to choose between. Hahahaha.

Cheers,
Paul

Sorry - misread - didn't see the previous exp with sandpaper bit.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

......Diamond stones and waterstones are also popular - and so easy and non-controversial to choose between. Hahahaha.

Interesting - when I wrote "water stones" as one word, it automatically linked to the same epay page as in your post, Paul. I didn't intend that, so I edited it, & it didn't happen when I used two words. What's going on? It's getting too spooky when these megamonster institutions can climb into our lives as easily as this!

I think I'll leave any debate on sharpening systems to the 'sharpening' thread - I was only offereing my experience with Arkansas stones and very hard steels.....

Edit - Typing the name of the damn thing also automatically links to them, now I know why so many others use nicknames! P*** OFF, I am perfectly capable of linking to a site when I choose to!
Cheers,

I'm not sure what/where/how this auto-linking is going on ... ?

"same epay page as in your post, Paul" .... is there a link you can see in my post (#6 I think)

... or am I missing something obvious?

Cheers,
Paul

Originally Posted by pmcgee

I'm not sure what/where/how this auto-linking is going on ... ?

"same epay page as in your post, Paul" .... is there a link you can see in my post (#6 I think)

... or am I missing something obvious?

Cheers,
Paul

Nope, when I edit the post, it doesn't show as a link, it's only when you post it that the link appears. I suspect the software lurks in Mr. eb*y's site. Clever, but thoroughly intrusive & extremely annoying! I see it as just a sophisticated form of spam!

Edit - just reported it to the other moderators to see what's going on..

Water stone Waterstone

You don't mean the red wiggly line, do you Ian? ... the one that is a spelling hint?


Paul

No, Paul - it was inserting a link on the word. Now it's not doing it. Someone's playing mind-games, or should that be mind less games???