I’ve picked up some arkansas stones at swap meets and yard sales the last few years. For the most part they’ve cost me about a buck a piece. I haven’t used them much however since I typically sharpen w/ sandpaper then finish off on a wet diamond stone.
In any case, the stones are white–or must have been when they were new and unused. They’re basically flat. I understand arkansas stones are used in a set order depending on the color of the stone, correct? Where might these stones fall in that scheme. One of the stones appears to be more translucent than the others.
Thanks
Replies
Jose,
I suggest you start sharpening with it and see how it compares to the system you use right now? Don't get all caught up in the number or grit of a stone. If it does what you want then use it. If not, it only cost you a buck, right?
Scott
In the two sets I use, the finer stone is white and the medium stone is mottled gray. I'm not sure that is gospel though, I've heard of a superfine grade that is black. If you clean them well, you may be able to tell by the feel of the surface which is which.
Jose,
I don't think you can tell the grit from the color. I have three Arkansas stones, two are indistinguishable from each other--so far as color goes. The third, and finest grit, is black; but I have seen fine Arkansas that are gray, and others white though they supposedly have the same grit; there are even some that are a translucent white. The way I've always seen the stones graded is by hardness: the softer the stone the coarser the grit. I'll second the advice to use them and see what they do. You'll very quickly be able to determine which stones are coarser or finer by the scratch patterns.
Alan
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