HUGE natural ARKANSAS whetstone

[Gadget Guy]

I just bought this on eBay and it is probably the best $25 I've ever spent. Not only does this stone look cool, I was able to sharpen all of my knives on it without any problems. I usually suck at sharpening, but with this stone it was super easy. I didn't have to use any oil or water on this stone.    Anyway, I just thought I would share this with everyone and I would highly recommend getting one if you can. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That'll be great on your softer steeled knives

[Gadget Guy]

That'll be great on your softer steeled knives

I don't think so Tim!    I just sharpened a Spyderco with CPM 440V blade steel.   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That'll be great on your softer steeled knives

I don't think so Tim!    I just sharpened a Spyderco with CPM 440V blade steel.   

Must of taken a while then

[Gadget Guy]

That'll be great on your softer steeled knives

I don't think so Tim!    I just sharpened a Spyderco with CPM 440V blade steel.   

Must of taken a while then

Believe it or not (      ) it didn't take long at all. 

[stressmaster5000]

I didn't have to use any oil or water on this stone. 

I always use oil on my stones. The stone will last longer if you do. My Dad always used water on his cheaper stones.

What is the reason you are not using the oil or water?

[cgk]

If you suck and can do it, then I need to find the right stone.  Sharpening knives frustrates me to no end.

[AHB]

If you suck and can do it, then I need to find the right stone.  Sharpening knives frustrates me to no end.

Have you tried the Spyderco Sharpmaker.? Even I get a great result with it.. 

[Styerman]

To master freehand , get a large stone (8"or so ) . Two Japanese waterstones is a good way to start ( you can rub them together to keep them true ) . Dont start with your good stuff , get a Vic or Henkel paring knife , and practice . Follow with a good strop .

Small stones are much harder to use and control , an 8" or larger stone seems to want to stayput on the bench better , and affords more room for wrist action .

In the alternate , get a Spyderco Sharpmaker .

Chris

[David]

To master freehand , get a large stone (8"or so ) . Two Japanese waterstones is a good way to start ( you can rub them together to keep them true ) . Dont start with your good stuff , get a Vic or Henkel paring knife , and practice . Follow with a good strop .

Small stones are much harder to use and control , an 8" or larger stone seems to want to stayput on the bench better , and affords more room for wrist action .

In the alternate , get a Spyderco Sharpmaker .

Chris

Reckon thats some good advice there Chris!   

[David]

That'll be great on your softer steeled knives

I don't think so Tim!     I just sharpened a Spyderco with CPM 440V blade steel.   

Classic quote there GG   

That is quite a chunk of Arkansas whetstone.        I keep looking at it and thinking I might need one. I got a 12" stone I`ve used for over 25 years. Maybe I need a new one?   

[Styerman]

Japanese water stones are worth a look . They are cheap and consistent , if you have two of them , they are easy to " true" up . Lee Valley and Garret Wade are a good source , their are also some good vids out on care and feeding of same . Novaculite ( Natural Arkansas stones ) is getting less common , higher quality stones are getting more expensive and tuffer to find .

Just a little tip , put magic marker on the edge , that way you get feedback on what metal you are actually working on .

Knives Ship Free has some very good videos on stropping , convexing ( all stroping is in fact micro convexing ) .

Small pocket stones are very hard to use , as you often have to hold them in your left hand . They can give good results in the hands of a practiced operator but....

Spyderco makes some very good ceramic benchstones , they are cheaper than top grade Ark. , and more consistent ( they stay true ) .

Use of power equipment is potentially dangerous to your health , and is post graduate stuff .

Chris

[Sean]

Nice stone!  Is there a reason for it being shaped like that?

[Zack]

Looks like its at a preset angle kinda like using the Sharpmaker system.

[Sean]

that's what I was kind of thinking also. 

[Styerman]

I'm thinking it might be an offcut off a slab of Novaculite .

Chris

[cgk]

To master freehand , get a large stone (8"or so ) . Two Japanese waterstones is a good way to start ( you can rub them together to keep them true ) . Dont start with your good stuff , get a Vic or Henkel paring knife , and practice . Follow with a good strop .

Small stones are much harder to use and control , an 8" or larger stone seems to want to stayput on the bench better , and affords more room for wrist action .

In the alternate , get a Spyderco Sharpmaker .

Chris

Thanks, gives me a starting point.