I'm guessing this is an Arkansas stone but I don't know anything about it. Would this be a good finisher passably?
Arkansas ? Any info on this stone?
- Thread starter The Mick
- Start date
I think they're made from reconstituted Arkansas stone powder.
Dont know if they're all the same grit, I'd guess that theyre less fine than needed to finish a razor.
Not convinced the abrasive particles are all that consistent, so before using it to hone a razor I think testing it would be a good idea. Mostly, I think they're for tools, maybe cutlery.
Dont know if they're all the same grit, I'd guess that theyre less fine than needed to finish a razor.
Not convinced the abrasive particles are all that consistent, so before using it to hone a razor I think testing it would be a good idea. Mostly, I think they're for tools, maybe cutlery.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks,
It's supper hard and smooth as glass the picture is a bit deceiving but definitely finer than my 8K Norton. But no I'm not going to try it on a razor until I can learn a bit more about it.
I read a few things on here about some arkansas being pretty good so I thought I'd ask.
It's supper hard and smooth as glass the picture is a bit deceiving but definitely finer than my 8K Norton. But no I'm not going to try it on a razor until I can learn a bit more about it.
I read a few things on here about some arkansas being pretty good so I thought I'd ask.
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The word "Arkeram" was easily Googleable and Gamma turns out to be right. It's reconstituted arkie stone powder fired in a kiln. Couldn't find any grit ratings, but did see this:
The second type is a soft Arkansas stone called Arkeram, made from extra fine Arkansas stone powder that is molded into the desired shape then fired and bonded in a kiln. Soft Arkeram Arkansas stones have a faster cutting action but need to be dressed back into shape more often.
The second type is a soft Arkansas stone called Arkeram, made from extra fine Arkansas stone powder that is molded into the desired shape then fired and bonded in a kiln. Soft Arkeram Arkansas stones have a faster cutting action but need to be dressed back into shape more often.
Only one way to try really.
Take a somewhat junker SHAVE READY razor to it and then strop and shave and see what it can do.
Take a somewhat junker SHAVE READY razor to it and then strop and shave and see what it can do.
Back when I bought my first Arks there was a lot of buzz about those types of stones.
Most of the chatter was unfavorable and a lot of people were paranoid about buying Arks and getting stuck with fake stones.
I would take a chisel with a broad face and run it over the stone a few times to be sure I hit the whole top of the stone, and then loupe the scratch pattern.
Then a knife or two and if all is well then a beater razor.
Most of the chatter was unfavorable and a lot of people were paranoid about buying Arks and getting stuck with fake stones.
I would take a chisel with a broad face and run it over the stone a few times to be sure I hit the whole top of the stone, and then loupe the scratch pattern.
Then a knife or two and if all is well then a beater razor.
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- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks again, I think I'll just leave it in the closet for tools. It seems really fine but I'm not going to risk it with this info.
- Thread starter
- #8
I googled Arkerem West Germany and I think the West Germany part screwed up my search results.
There's no risk in using a junker of a razor on it and giving it a shave test. Think about what we put our razors on... some guys use DMT 325's on them. A few passes, guaranteed, will not do any damage that can't be corrected quickly.
