Just curious , Samuel , which one is your favorite ? Mine is translucent , while not giving me my sharpest edges , it's still my favorite . And Chris is right about the rabbit hole . Yeah , there are much more expensive hobbies out there .
@@sam4yeshua214 I'm really into the back and soft combo from Dan's, though I'm not into the look of combo stones, the thing just puts in work. I can see why you lean twords the translucent those things feel great to sharpen on and I think they cut faster than the blacks. But just out of curiosity fellow Sam what do you use that gives you your sharpest edges?
Samuel Schwandt my lapped 8x2x1/2 blue black sub translucent cause I'm too lazy to lapped my 10x3x1 blue black . Not after lapping my 10x3x1 surgical black . I've lived in Arkansas most of my life , back in 1977 , I bought my dad a 6x2x1/2 blue black , it always fascinated me because I noticed light at the edges going thru it . Old cedar box smith . He had lost it and found it last year . For years I talked about that stone , no one believed me until I came across Chris the rough rooster ! Finally I had proof ! I work as a plumber/pipefitter/pipe welder at Fort Roots VA hospital . As a contractor we came across what I think was white hard novaculite because a ram hoe , the bit was glowing cherry red . Spent 3weeks jack hammering rock , breaking bits . But I've grown up fascinated by Arkansas stones and loved all of Chris videos . I use to watch my dad do what Chris does . I'm not as good as Chris , Close but Chris is the best I've seen .
Hey Chris - I haven't got to watch yet. Looking forward after work. Hope you're not disappointed in me. Me and my Dad always sharpened together when I was s kid. All he had was a dished out Washita stone. I found one from Dan's and two from Natural. I got all three, might use one and just keep other two as passalongs to the kids. As always love your videos. Sorry I missed your email.
As a NH resident, all we have is a ton of granite and slate 🤣 I don’t know who thought any novaculite stone came from NH. NH was home to the Pike company that was the top manufacturer of whetstones for a long time that imported a lot of novaculite stone from Arkansas, but it wasn’t quarried in NH, it was just cut and sold out of NH. 1930’s Pike merged with an artificial abrasives manufacturer, the resulting company became Norton abrasives. So, washita stones came out of NH as cut stones, but not quarried out of NH. Maybe that was the disconnect.
Great comment Occams Sawzall. I was thinking the same thing when RR mentioned NH. After all, the Washita/Ouachita stones are named after the Ouachita Mountains where they are quarried. Norton produced an oil stone sharpening dvd a few years ago and gave that brief history.
I've got a bunch of old Smith's. It's about time I got me one. I had an Arkansas at one time and I don't know whatever happened to it. But I'm ready to get me another
bought a old black arkansas in the 90's from smiths---black as night--15 strokes then strop always gives straight razor sharpness.As far as the soft arkansas I found it took too long,so I used a Norton fine or medium.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531Arkansas stones. you do a wonderful job i just feel they're not as efficient(diamond). honestly tho you have to be a better sharpener if you have to spend 2/3/4 x as much at the same angle(plus keeping flat). There is way more chance for mistakes. so its a compliment brother.
Dans stones are great I have an 8x2x.75 soft and a black 8x2x.5 from them. and I lay the blame for having $300+ in arkansas stones squarely at your feet.
Came here for an informed review and an honest opinion on Arkansas stones and you delivered on both fronts. I found Dan's a cpl weeks ago and have been doing research since then including calling and talking to them directly and Rooster ain't making it up it was like talking to a friend on the phone. Thank you for the well thought out information you prepared brother....I'm off to go order me a top quality stone, mined in the good ole U S of A....MERICA!!!
I also feel compelled to point out that the reason it's so much money is because its mined & manufactured in America....that used to mean something back when I was growing up.
I’ll pay more for a family owned company with so much pride the guy put his own name on it. I’d like to see more of these Ouachita stones. You mention they are a little coarser. I think I’ve noticed that they tend to have a brown/tan tiny to them. Thanks
Just wondering. Is there a way/method/process to quantify the sharpness of a knife? Yes, I'm an engineer by training and don't hold that against me, 45 years of engineering doesn't go away.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 It's difficult to know what needs better sharpening if I don't have the same level of experience. So it seems if I can meet some measurement standard then it's sharp. Chicken and egg stuff.
What do you think about a convex Arkansas for straight razor finishing ? I have got a few Arkansas , but none from Dans , is it that big of a difference ? Gonna get a few from Dans when my taxes roll around I think , I would like to find a Washita to . Any hoo , wanted to see if you have ever did the convex thing with the straights .
New to Arks but ordering the soft 8x2x1 and a Black 8x2.5 and from this i gather i can skip the hard and go rite to a super hard correct? I also have dmt diamond hones in the three grits also as a backup and an Atoma 400.. cover all the bevel cutting and refinement basics from here with these thanks bud your the source for my infection! Haha
Really great video thanks! I just received my first black Arkansas stone from Dan’s. First impressions was super great. A soft stone is on the way. I tried white mineral oil. I think it’s to thick. I feel like I glide on the stone. What lubricant you recommend?
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 do you know how they hold up, quality wise? i can not get a set of dan's stones shipped here, so i am kinda stuck on the cheaper ones
100% agreed , Kim is married to one of Dans son , Steven . Steven has been cutting novaculite his whole life . Both him and his brother sterling are gold mine of information . The other day , guy I work with gave me a naniwa 10,000 grit water stone . I thought , hey , it's free and I try it . I dulled my edge . All I had at work was a true hard and the brought the edge back . I got naniwa diamond water stones , 1000, 3000 , 6000 , suehiro debado . I still say while diamond stones have their uses , the finest whetstone in the world comes from Dans .
Rough Rooster Knife Sharpening yeah , it dulled it . Honestly , I was shocked but it did leave a mirror polish . At work , all I had was a pocket true hard and it brought the edge right back , stropped it some and voila , back to shaving sharp . I keep my work knife shaving sharp .
What is the difference between lapping and flattening? Also I'm confused about what lubricant do use. Water seems like a less messy choice but Dan's seems to "push" using oil. If you start using oil do you have to stay with oil or can you de-grease the soft stone and then use water?
I have been watching your videos for sometime now, but this is my first question. First let me say I have gained a world of knowledge from you and a new found appreciation for Arkansas stones..for this I thank you I agree that Dan's by far had the best quality out there. My progression is a washita, soft, hard, hard translucent then the hard black to finish..I love the results...either freehand or using them on either my hapstone professional or my tsprof k03 fixed angle systems. I hear how sweet the true hards are..my question is would it improve my progression in anyway?? I'm itching to try one but not quite sure where it fits in. Any input is appreciated
fldiver jc have Dan custom cut you a blue black stone to fit your hap . Just give them dimensions . They class them by density . The " true hards " are true hard , translucent , black , blue black . True hards are funny because I got an old one that dans son , Steven identified as a true hard , looks like a speckled soft with many colors . But I've had true hard dans pocket stones that look half translucent and half black , I've also seen them half translucent and half hard . My Dans first grade hard has some translucency and it used to be my favorite stone . Still loved it . Heirloom quality stone . But like Chris says , once you go down that rabbit hole . I waited over a year for a 10x3x1 translucent first grade . It's my favorite . And yeah I got all of the Arkansas stones , washita , soft , hard , true hard , translucent , black and blue black . I just enjoy free hand sharpening knifes . What can I say . But the density is what is important , followed by flatness . Straight razor guys love lapped stones for a reason . So do machinists . Some use optical flats with helium lamps to measure that flatness . Me ? I just look at the reflection , the mirror like look . But that will slow the cutting speed down while increasing the sharpness of the edge . Tip , never lap both sides the same . One side rough , fast cutting , one side flat and slow for the best edges . Hopes that helps but if Chris contradicts me , listen to him , he is the man . I've seen what he can do . Hair whittling sharp edges are not easy without stropping .
Your true hard would be right before the translucent. And all stones behave differently. Especially if you manipulate them. You may find a particular blade or steel that the true hard likes more than a trans or black. It's all a matter of what you want to do. And thank you. I try to spread the best knowledge I can.
@@sam4yeshua214 lol good advice Sam lots of facts there. Now I'm VERY guilty of lapping both sides the same, I just wanna push the stone to its full potential. And I need to start doing just what you said. One side different from the other. I might ad also, lable what side is what. When I do lap differently I usually forget ha 😂 and yes I've took a 1/4 inch thick D2 blade straight off a black Arkansas and whittled hair on video. It's easy 😊
Rough Rooster Knife Sharpening for you it's easy . I've done it but I got lucky that one time , plus I stropped it to get there . But the more I sharpen the better I've become . Friend of mine said , Sam , if you keeps this up , that knife is going to cut air . Some days I get in the grove and some days I go backwards . Getting old , my dad is the same way . Doing something wrong but can't figure it out .
Thanks for the info! Is the combo stone you showed a medium/fine or a medium/ultra fine? Any preference between those. I don’t have any bench stones yet so kinda looking for something to start with.
Hello, and thanks for the video. I have been wanting some Dan's for awhile now, but wasn't really sure which ones I needed. This video helped. My other reason I have waited is that I have heard you can only use oil with arkansas stones, but some say oil or water will be fine. I want to know that I can use water because it is always available. Can you help clarify this? Thanks, for your time.
New Hampshire? Might have missed where that rumor started. I like my soft ark from dans. I have one side coarse, the other side fine and with nothing but stellar results. Such a versatile stone, full agreement with your recommendations Chris.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 mostly a light gray with splashes of black/dark gray all over it. I did buy a pocket stone soft ark from Dan the man and that's a darker gray with orange patches.
Hey what are your thoughts on finishing M390/20CV/204-P on Arkansas stones? I went at a Spyderco M390 blade for over an hour on a translucent and it didn't seem to do hardly anything.
I've got several videos on higher end steels on my channel. I can get a hair whittling edge from a trans and a black in less than 15 min. It works and it works well. Your technique is off or you're grit progression is wrong. Or your stones aren't finished correctly, or you have a lower quality translucent.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 Awesome! It's probably a combination of my progression and technique since it's a new translucent from Dan's. I'll keep tinkering with it. Good to know it's a problem with what I'm doing and not a limitation of the stone!
Have you ever used any Arkansas stones from Natural Whetstone Company? I have a couple from there and they seem to be ok but I am no expert by any means.
You ask for questions, you get questions. I am getting into honing straight razors. I have the 6x2 black/soft from Dans. I get edges good enough to shave comfortably. But I hear so many people talk about stone progression in honing straight razors. Which makes me think I might get a better edge if I throw a hard and a true hard/translucent into my set up. What are your thoughts on that? Also, from looking at Dans' website, it looks like translucent and true hard are the same stone. Have I understood that properly? Cheers! Caleb
Well first off there are many channels geared towards straights. I was just watching one from Mike Baker when you commented. It's always good to progress on grits. Rather than jumping. You should be getting great results from that combo stone. Have you lapped it any? And I've noticed that alot of guys like a wider stone as well.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I haven't lapped the stone. I thought about it, but it did a great job out of the box, so I decided against risking mucking it up. I see people mention wider stones being nice, but the 6x2 reminds me of the stones my grandparents have (that used to belong to my great grand father).
@@calebpotts8648 ah ok. And yes man that's fine. Whatever you are comfortable with is what matters. I'd definitely try a translucent if I were you. Just keep practicing man. You will definitely improve in time.
If I can jump in? The progression you are using works quite well; I use a Soft to a Black for straights when I hone razors with oilstones, with good results. One other thing I tend to use is a Norton Fine India to set the bevel with if it needs it, although you could come off of a 1k water stone as well, and the resulting edge would probably be smoother before moving to the Soft. If you are getting good, comfortable edges, you aren't doing anything wrong. But you won't hurt yourself experimenting and pushing yourself a bit; that is the way you learn. Biggest thing about straight razor honing, or any other sharpening/honing skill, is time on the stones. Sure, pick up whatever stones you think you might like; I'm the last guy to discourage that. But all the stones in the world will not replace time spent on the stone. MHO.
Is there any way to know if the honing stone I bought is a real vintage Arkansas stone, The reason I ask is a seller sold me a vintage surgical black , But are all surgical black only from Arkansas and Arkansas stone Is there a scratch test or some thing I can do to make sure it is what they said ,
Well sometimes I get offered suck a smoking deal on some of them I can't help but to sell or trade. Others I've passed along etc. Needed money you know..
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 Fair enough. Have you had any experience with the old Norton lily white? I haven't been able to find any in your extensive list of videos.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I have very little when it comes to Arkies. One Black and one Soft. You can pretty much see what I have on my Honing Playlist, but I doubt I have anything you would have interest in.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I don’t know who is cutting everything, or how many people are cutting the stones today. Probably very few. The translucent Norton ark I got that came out recently in that transparent case is good.
You're channel is the reason I found my favorite stones. Thank you for passing on what you know, you do good work.
Thank you for the kind words.
Just curious , Samuel , which one is your favorite ? Mine is translucent , while not giving me my sharpest edges , it's still my favorite . And Chris is right about the rabbit hole . Yeah , there are much more expensive hobbies out there .
@@sam4yeshua214 I'm really into the back and soft combo from Dan's, though I'm not into the look of combo stones, the thing just puts in work.
I can see why you lean twords the translucent those things feel great to sharpen on and I think they cut faster than the blacks.
But just out of curiosity fellow Sam what do you use that gives you your sharpest edges?
Samuel Schwandt my lapped 8x2x1/2 blue black sub translucent cause I'm too lazy to lapped my 10x3x1 blue black . Not after lapping my 10x3x1 surgical black . I've lived in Arkansas most of my life , back in 1977 , I bought my dad a 6x2x1/2 blue black , it always fascinated me because I noticed light at the edges going thru it . Old cedar box smith . He had lost it and found it last year . For years I talked about that stone , no one believed me until I came across Chris the rough rooster ! Finally I had proof ! I work as a plumber/pipefitter/pipe welder at Fort Roots VA hospital . As a contractor we came across what I think was white hard novaculite because a ram hoe , the bit was glowing cherry red . Spent 3weeks jack hammering rock , breaking bits . But I've grown up fascinated by Arkansas stones and loved all of Chris videos . I use to watch my dad do what Chris does . I'm not as good as Chris , Close but Chris is the best I've seen .
@@samuelschwandt271 you are right about the translucent cutting faster than the black
Dan's is definitely the way to go. Superior in every respect.
Agreed
Hey man. Shoot me a email when you can. southerntrader124@gmail.com
Thanks for the video! I like the combo stone idea. 👍🏻🇺🇸
Not a problem. Thanks for the view and comment!
Following your advice, I bought soft and black Arkansas wide bench stones from Dan's. Both of them are superb. Thank you and all the best from Serbia.
Thank you. I'll have to look up where your from. I'm not familiar with it.
Very cool by Romania. Thank you for mentioning this. 👍
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 South East of Europe. North of Greece.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 Thank you for the honest and no-nonsense approach and presentation.
how much did you pay for delivery for the stones?
Hey Chris - I haven't got to watch yet. Looking forward after work. Hope you're not disappointed in me. Me and my Dad always sharpened together when I was s kid. All he had was a dished out Washita stone. I found one from Dan's and two from Natural. I got all three, might use one and just keep other two as passalongs to the kids. As always love your videos. Sorry I missed your email.
Why would I be disappointed? Lol. And id love to have some of the old stones I seen my grandpa use.
As a NH resident, all we have is a ton of granite and slate 🤣
I don’t know who thought any novaculite stone came from NH.
NH was home to the Pike company that was the top manufacturer of whetstones for a long time that imported a lot of novaculite stone from Arkansas, but it wasn’t quarried in NH, it was just cut and sold out of NH.
1930’s Pike merged with an artificial abrasives manufacturer, the resulting company became Norton abrasives.
So, washita stones came out of NH as cut stones, but not quarried out of NH. Maybe that was the disconnect.
Thank you for posting this. That is a good bit of history you shared!
Great comment Occams Sawzall. I was thinking the same thing when RR mentioned NH. After all, the Washita/Ouachita stones are named after the Ouachita Mountains where they are quarried. Norton produced an oil stone sharpening dvd a few years ago and gave that brief history.
I've got a bunch of old Smith's. It's about time I got me one. I had an Arkansas at one time and I don't know whatever happened to it. But I'm ready to get me another
bought a old black arkansas in the 90's from smiths---black as night--15 strokes then strop always gives straight razor sharpness.As far as the soft arkansas I found it took too long,so I used a Norton fine or medium.
i appreciate your loyalty brother
Yessir lol. But may I ask to what or whom?
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531Arkansas stones. you do a wonderful job i just feel they're not as efficient(diamond). honestly tho you have to be a better sharpener if you have to spend 2/3/4 x as much at the same angle(plus keeping flat). There is way more chance for mistakes. so its a compliment brother.
@@dontbeaculpus oh yeah they are definitely slower than diamond. And practice helps alot
Dans stones are great I have an 8x2x.75 soft and a black 8x2x.5 from them.
and I lay the blame for having $300+ in arkansas stones squarely at your feet.
Hahahahahahaha! 😂🤣😁👍
Man you had me laughing pretty hard on that one.
Great video, thank you. Dan's stones are really nice.
Thank you
Came here for an informed review and an honest opinion on Arkansas stones and you delivered on both fronts. I found Dan's a cpl weeks ago and have been doing research since then including calling and talking to them directly and Rooster ain't making it up it was like talking to a friend on the phone. Thank you for the well thought out information you prepared brother....I'm off to go order me a top quality stone, mined in the good ole U S of A....MERICA!!!
I also feel compelled to point out that the reason it's so much money is because its mined & manufactured in America....that used to mean something back when I was growing up.
Well thank you.
Exactly
I’ll pay more for a family owned company with so much pride the guy put his own name on it. I’d like to see more of these Ouachita stones. You mention they are a little coarser. I think I’ve noticed that they tend to have a brown/tan tiny to them. Thanks
I'm lost?
I said they are coarser?
A washita maybe?
Might have to give Arkansas a go.
Man lots of people have, and love them. It's something you will just have to try to understand.
You don't know what you're missing, get all 3 stones
@@DawahTrucker2024 but wait! There's more! 🤣
Great video! Dan's stones worth every penny
Gotta love Dan’s 👍🏻
Absolutely.
Just wondering. Is there a way/method/process to quantify the sharpness of a knife? Yes, I'm an engineer by training and don't hold that against me, 45 years of engineering doesn't go away.
Pick up the sharpness tester. You cut through a determined string medium and the weight needed shows your sharpness. They are spendy
There are quite a few things available if I'm not mistaken. But I've been doing this so long that I just can tell. I have several methods to try
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 It's difficult to know what needs better sharpening if I don't have the same level of experience. So it seems if I can meet some measurement standard then it's sharp. Chicken and egg stuff.
@@darrelvidrine7392 that's understandable.
What do you think about a convex Arkansas for straight razor finishing ? I have got a few Arkansas , but none from Dans , is it that big of a difference ? Gonna get a few from Dans when my taxes roll around I think , I would like to find a Washita to . Any hoo , wanted to see if you have ever did the convex thing with the straights .
No I have not. I think it's pointless. That's just my opinion tho. Barbers have gotten by without that for well over 100 years
New to Arks but ordering the soft 8x2x1 and a Black 8x2.5 and from this i gather i can skip the hard and go rite to a super hard correct? I also have dmt diamond hones in the three grits also as a backup and an Atoma 400.. cover all the bevel cutting and refinement basics from here with these thanks bud your the source for my infection! Haha
No problem! Sorry for the wayyyy late reply
Really great video thanks! I just received my first black Arkansas stone from Dan’s. First impressions was super great. A soft stone is on the way. I tried white mineral oil. I think it’s to thick. I feel like I glide on the stone. What lubricant you recommend?
You can mix mineral oil 50/50 with paraffin oil to cut back on the viscosity.
hey there, i got into arkansas stones because of your videos, my wife recently bought me a soft from buck, i was surprised to see them selling these
Oh yeah, I've still seen a few floating around. And I'm glad. Thanks for watching
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 do you know how they hold up, quality wise? i can not get a set of dan's stones shipped here, so i am kinda stuck on the cheaper ones
@@MrGodofwar666 I have no idea. I know that the old Bucks were great. The new ones I I have not used.
100% agreed , Kim is married to one of Dans son , Steven . Steven has been cutting novaculite his whole life . Both him and his brother sterling are gold mine of information . The other day , guy I work with gave me a naniwa 10,000 grit water stone . I thought , hey , it's free and I try it . I dulled my edge . All I had at work was a true hard and the brought the edge back . I got naniwa diamond water stones , 1000, 3000 , 6000 , suehiro debado . I still say while diamond stones have their uses , the finest whetstone in the world comes from Dans .
I gotta go down there someday. And really!? It dulled it? Hmm I'm gonna have to pick one up sometime and try it out. Interesting.
Rough Rooster Knife Sharpening yeah , it dulled it . Honestly , I was shocked but it did leave a mirror polish . At work , all I had was a pocket true hard and it brought the edge right back , stropped it some and voila , back to shaving sharp . I keep my work knife shaving sharp .
Can you do a video on the difference between a hard ark and true hard ark please?
Will do
If you’ve ever tried to flatten a cheaper rock you can appreciate The little bit more money spent for a much higher quality Stone from Dan’s
I have lol and you are right.
What is the difference between lapping and flattening? Also I'm confused about what lubricant do use. Water seems like a less messy choice but Dan's seems to "push" using oil. If you start using oil do you have to stay with oil or can you de-grease the soft stone and then use water?
I prefer dawn and water. Lapping is refining the surface of the stone. Flattening is well flattening
I have been watching your videos for sometime now, but this is my first question.
First let me say I have gained a world of knowledge from you and a new found appreciation for Arkansas stones..for this I thank you
I agree that Dan's by far had the best quality out there.
My progression is a washita, soft, hard, hard translucent then the hard black to finish..I love the results...either freehand or using them on either my hapstone professional or my tsprof k03 fixed angle systems.
I hear how sweet the true hards are..my question is would it improve my progression in anyway?? I'm itching to try one but not quite sure where it fits in. Any input is appreciated
fldiver jc have Dan custom cut you a blue black stone to fit your hap . Just give them dimensions . They class them by density . The " true hards " are true hard , translucent , black , blue black . True hards are funny because I got an old one that dans son , Steven identified as a true hard , looks like a speckled soft with many colors . But I've had true hard dans pocket stones that look half translucent and half black , I've also seen them half translucent and half hard . My Dans first grade hard has some translucency and it used to be my favorite stone . Still loved it . Heirloom quality stone . But like Chris says , once you go down that rabbit hole . I waited over a year for a 10x3x1 translucent first grade . It's my favorite . And yeah I got all of the Arkansas stones , washita , soft , hard , true hard , translucent , black and blue black . I just enjoy free hand sharpening knifes . What can I say . But the density is what is important , followed by flatness . Straight razor guys love lapped stones for a reason . So do machinists . Some use optical flats with helium lamps to measure that flatness . Me ? I just look at the reflection , the mirror like look . But that will slow the cutting speed down while increasing the sharpness of the edge . Tip , never lap both sides the same . One side rough , fast cutting , one side flat and slow for the best edges . Hopes that helps but if Chris contradicts me , listen to him , he is the man . I've seen what he can do . Hair whittling sharp edges are not easy without stropping .
Your true hard would be right before the translucent. And all stones behave differently. Especially if you manipulate them. You may find a particular blade or steel that the true hard likes more than a trans or black. It's all a matter of what you want to do. And thank you. I try to spread the best knowledge I can.
@@sam4yeshua214 lol good advice Sam lots of facts there. Now I'm VERY guilty of lapping both sides the same, I just wanna push the stone to its full potential. And I need to start doing just what you said. One side different from the other. I might ad also, lable what side is what. When I do lap differently I usually forget ha 😂 and yes I've took a 1/4 inch thick D2 blade straight off a black Arkansas and whittled hair on video. It's easy 😊
Rough Rooster Knife Sharpening for you it's easy . I've done it but I got lucky that one time , plus I stropped it to get there . But the more I sharpen the better I've become . Friend of mine said , Sam , if you keeps this up , that knife is going to cut air . Some days I get in the grove and some days I go backwards . Getting old , my dad is the same way . Doing something wrong but can't figure it out .
And I have seen that video . Thin edges are easier than thick edges for me . I've shown that video to others . Like me they were blown away .
Thanks for the info! Is the combo stone you showed a medium/fine or a medium/ultra fine? Any preference between those. I don’t have any bench stones yet so kinda looking for something to start with.
I would start with a DMT fine and a soft Arkansas
Hello, and thanks for the video. I have been wanting some Dan's for awhile now, but wasn't really sure which ones I needed. This video helped. My other reason I have waited is that I have heard you can only use oil with arkansas stones, but some say oil or water will be fine. I want to know that I can use water because it is always available. Can you help clarify this? Thanks, for your time.
Watch my other videos and you can see me actually using it. But I use blue dawn and water in a spray bottle. Works fantastic
New Hampshire? Might have missed where that rumor started. I like my soft ark from dans. I have one side coarse, the other side fine and with nothing but stellar results. Such a versatile stone, full agreement with your recommendations Chris.
Thank you. What colors are you're soft?
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 mostly a light gray with splashes of black/dark gray all over it. I did buy a pocket stone soft ark from Dan the man and that's a darker gray with orange patches.
Do the cases have something on the bottom to prevent slipping? Or do the stones just stay put?
They are just wood. I never sharpen with the stone in the box. I always use a stone holder.
Ola, a marble é uma marca boa para pedras arkansas de afiar?
if you keep a check on their specials they got some great deals that arent that expensive
Yea I know. I just picked up a nice 10x2x1 hard a couple of weeks back.
I seen the other day that they had a boat load of blacks on the specials page.
Howdy, can you reprofile on a soft Arkansas?
Yes you can
Does Dan's still make combo stones? I can't find any on site.
Nevermind found them. Just old and blind.
@@bamafaninky861 lol. Sorry just getting to this. I was gonna say they should be.
Hey what are your thoughts on finishing M390/20CV/204-P on Arkansas stones? I went at a Spyderco M390 blade for over an hour on a translucent and it didn't seem to do hardly anything.
I've got several videos on higher end steels on my channel. I can get a hair whittling edge from a trans and a black in less than 15 min. It works and it works well. Your technique is off or you're grit progression is wrong. Or your stones aren't finished correctly, or you have a lower quality translucent.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 Awesome! It's probably a combination of my progression and technique since it's a new translucent from Dan's. I'll keep tinkering with it. Good to know it's a problem with what I'm doing and not a limitation of the stone!
It could be anything really. But I assure you a good translucent will make an incredible edge. Is it a regular run of the mill or a No1?
Just wanted to verify you use water and dawn soap instead of oil?
Ues
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 roger that brother 🤙
Have you ever used any Arkansas stones from Natural Whetstone Company? I have a couple from there and they seem to be ok but I am no expert by any means.
I have, they are ok. Just not as good as most
Binge watching while I recover!
Good deal. How are you doing?
You ask for questions, you get questions.
I am getting into honing straight razors. I have the 6x2 black/soft from Dans. I get edges good enough to shave comfortably. But I hear so many people talk about stone progression in honing straight razors. Which makes me think I might get a better edge if I throw a hard and a true hard/translucent into my set up. What are your thoughts on that?
Also, from looking at Dans' website, it looks like translucent and true hard are the same stone. Have I understood that properly?
Cheers!
Caleb
Well first off there are many channels geared towards straights. I was just watching one from Mike Baker when you commented.
It's always good to progress on grits. Rather than jumping. You should be getting great results from that combo stone. Have you lapped it any?
And I've noticed that alot of guys like a wider stone as well.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I haven't lapped the stone. I thought about it, but it did a great job out of the box, so I decided against risking mucking it up.
I see people mention wider stones being nice, but the 6x2 reminds me of the stones my grandparents have (that used to belong to my great grand father).
@@calebpotts8648 ah ok. And yes man that's fine. Whatever you are comfortable with is what matters. I'd definitely try a translucent if I were you. Just keep practicing man. You will definitely improve in time.
If I can jump in? The progression you are using works quite well; I use a Soft to a Black for straights when I hone razors with oilstones, with good results. One other thing I tend to use is a Norton Fine India to set the bevel with if it needs it, although you could come off of a 1k water stone as well, and the resulting edge would probably be smoother before moving to the Soft.
If you are getting good, comfortable edges, you aren't doing anything wrong. But you won't hurt yourself experimenting and pushing yourself a bit; that is the way you learn.
Biggest thing about straight razor honing, or any other sharpening/honing skill, is time on the stones. Sure, pick up whatever stones you think you might like; I'm the last guy to discourage that. But all the stones in the world will not replace time spent on the stone. MHO.
@@christianentertainmentoutdoors Yea man the more info the better. Good bit there to! 👍
Wonder how long a normal sized Arkansas stone will last
Depends on how much you use it. I've got a couple that are 100 years old or more
I'm looking for a good washita but can never find any listed anywhere can you point me in the right direction? Please and thank you!!!
Dan's may have but not on site. Same with Natural. Email and ask. I support Chris, Dan's cut a really good stone.
eBay item number:202905400172
As Robin said try that. And also do some digging on eBay. They are very scarce.
Chris how can you tell if it is really a washita in a photo?
👍
Do Dan’s stones come pre-oiled?
No, you can't pre oil a Arkansas. Your thinking of sic stones or India's. That are "oil filled" or "impregnated"
I don't use oil on mine.
Could not agree more, Dan's stones are the best.
Next to Norton yes
Arkansas stone Skerper is true are bad?😮
What?
i believe he was asking if the arkansas from skerper are good and if they are "true arkansas"@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531
Is there any way to know if the honing stone I bought is a real vintage Arkansas stone,
The reason I ask is a seller sold me a vintage surgical black ,
But are all surgical black only from Arkansas and Arkansas stone
Is there a scratch test or some thing I can do to make sure it is what they said ,
Found an Arkansas soft from my grandpaw that I didn’t realize I had
Very cool!
I think I just watched a Dan's commercial.
Smart ass comment?
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 No, a honest take. You have some good content but that wasn't your best effort. It was a Dan's commercial.
@@blairbarrington3737 wtf are you talking about? Why you gotta be that guy....
@@blairbarrington3737 I don't have good content I have great content and people love it.
You mention often how great the stones you got rid of were I wonder why you don't keep them?
Well sometimes I get offered suck a smoking deal on some of them I can't help but to sell or trade. Others I've passed along etc. Needed money you know..
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 Fair enough.
Have you had any experience with the old Norton lily white? I haven't been able to find any in your extensive list of videos.
New Hampshire, lol.
I know right! 😂
Hey man I have a question for you. Have any stones to trade on? I have a big ole black ark I'm thinking of trading or selling off.
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I have very little when it comes to Arkies. One Black and one Soft. You can pretty much see what I have on my Honing Playlist, but I doubt I have anything you would have interest in.
120$ for a 2 sided arkansal stone is pretty good deal might cut back on my beer drinking
Not sure about dans.
Why?
They are the best stone company out there
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 eh, the black ark I got had like no cutting action. I like the Norton’s better.
Who do you think cuts Norton's Arkansas?
And Sharpening supplies?
The black is a super fine stone. They don't cut. They hone. They take an extreme amount of patience
@@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531 I don’t know who is cutting everything, or how many people are cutting the stones today. Probably very few.
The translucent Norton ark I got that came out recently in that transparent case is good.
Keeping a Dan's Whetstone in a Pinnacle box? BLASPHEMY!
I broke the other box...
Smiths don’t cut their stones anymore they get prey D.A. and dans rejects. Preyda
Smith's $10 special with the yellow container\base...what a shame.
That's Completely incorrect
Yes I agree
Rabbit hole. . . Ha! More like canyon.
Ok fine rabbit canyon.