Pike Arkansas Razor Hone

[mbrando]

Hi,

I bought this Pike Arkansas Razor. See attache photo. What kind of honing oil would you recommend? It says on the box to use thin non-gumming oil and Pike oil is best. Any one know what Pike oil made of? Would Marvel mystery oil work?

Thanks,
Mike

[SliceOfLife]

Thats a vintage translucent arkansas. I bid on it, but since it was broken into two pieces, I didn't bid much. Both pieces have been cleaned up nicely though and should work fine for honing. I use Cabela's Store brand Synthetic honing oil with my arkansas, just because it's what I happened to buy. It works fine, but I'd imagine just about anything marketed as a honing oil should work. It's just a guess, but I'd think Pike Oil was probably sperm whale oil. It's not available any more. There are better alternatives now anyway. My synthetic oil rinses off with a splash of water and doesn't build up or stain the stones.

[mbrando]

Hi

At first I thought it was odd that it was two pieces. Then realized it was broken cleaned up like you said. I'll check base pro shop. I have one near me.

Thanks,
Mike

[ramon]

that arkansas looks very pretty .

[mbrando]

that arkansas looks very pretty .

Hi

Thanks. They feel nice too. The edges are rounded over.

Mike

[mbrando]

Hi,

Just an update. I decided to try mineral oil. Its a little thick but wanted to give the stones a try. I touched up 2 razors and they both took a really keen edge.

I know natural stones do not have a definitive grit but some kind of range. However, I'm curious. The translucent arkansas stone is supposed to be about 4000 on the grit scale, yet it seems to have developed a better edge than what I get from 12000 chinese water stone.

Maybe a more controlled test is in order. Anyone here use a translucent arkansas stone? Is it your finishing stone? Where does it fall into your progression?

Mike

[SliceOfLife]

Hi,

Just an update. I decided to try mineral oil. Its a little thick but wanted to give the stones a try. I touched up 2 razors and they both took a really keen edge.

I know natural stones do not have a definitive grit but some kind of range. However, I'm curious. The translucent arkansas stone is supposed to be about 4000 on the grit scale, yet it seems to have developed a better edge than what I get from 12000 chinese water stone.

Maybe a more controlled test is in order. Anyone here use a translucent arkansas stone? Is it your finishing stone? Where does it fall into your progression?

Mike

Yes it's a finishing stone. I get much, much, much better edges from fine/hard Arkansas than from China 12k. The edges are close in sharpness to Eschers and being oilstones feel smoother on the face, but being oilstones require a good deal more passes than an Escher/Thuri would. The stones are also VERY hard (a lot harder than even China 12k's), so they are more sensitive to screw ups than softer hones are. I also find them almost worthless on water. Some people like them on water, but my experiences have all been negative and I attribute their lack of popularity to being improperly used with water and to being used without proper finishing (your stones look nice and vintage so are probably quite smooth, but recent stones will often have saw marks or coarse lapping that is a HUGE no-no for oilstones).

[mbrando]

Hi Ian,

Thanks. Bothe pieces are very smooth. No tool marks of any kind on either face of either stone. That closes that up. This was a very interesting. I think I'll keep these for a bit. But HAD would imply that a larger stone with more travel wold be nice. :)

Mike

[SliceOfLife]

Hi Ian,

Thanks. Bothe pieces are very smooth. No tool marks of any kind on either face of either stone. That closes that up. This was a very interesting. I think I'll keep these for a bit. But HAD would imply that a larger stone with more travel wold be nice. :)

Mike

You'd be surprised. My absolute favorite touch up hone is an ~4x1x(1/8)" Pike Arkansas I got for $3 from an ~80 yr old carpenter (Every other hone was $1, but the Pike was $3 because it was "Something special, in case you didn't know," according to the seller.) If I had a 8x2 Vintage Hard Arkansas maybe it would win, but that piece is great for some quick swipes. Sure it takes 200-300 (guessing, I don't count) passes for a touchup. But it's easy to use, easy to store, easy to travel, just plain nice and convenient.

[mbrando]

Hi,

Hmmm...that make sense. They are compact. Have you ever had lap yours since you've owned it?

- Mike

[SliceOfLife]

Hi,

Hmmm...that make sense. They are compact. Have you ever had lap yours since you've owned it?

- Mike

You'll laugh at that question when you've used it awhile. In a word, no. Other stones I've bought (Charnley, cotis, thuris, etc) would usually need lapping when I got them because they'd have gouges from tool sharpening. Arkansas haven't had those. I like buying them used because it means I DON'T have to lap them. They actually smooth with use. Arkansas stones are pretty ridiculously hard.

[mbrando]

Hi,

That is even better. Less maintenance work. :)

- Mike

[ramon]

I use a arkansas stone to hone my Dovo razors , take time and precision but at the end the razor are so sharp you can shave your head like me.
Enjoy your pretty arkansas I wish have your lucky
take care
o and use honing oil or water on the stone

[mbrando]

I use a arkansas stone to hone my Dovo razors , take time and precision but at the end the razor are so sharp you can shave your head like me.
Enjoy your pretty arkansas I wish have your lucky
take care
o and use honing oil or water on the stone

Hi,

Thanks. I bought some non-petroleum hone-fluid from Base Pro shop. A few drops works great. The razors I have touched up so far, have taken a very keen edge. :)

I think I have a new favorite Hone!

- Mike