Thread: can you hone with an arkansas?

If i have a proffesionally honed razor and shave a good amount and find it is getting dull could i refresh it on the little arkansas stone i hav? its about one inch wide by 4 inches long and half and inch deep. idk specifics on grit or if arkansas stones even have different grits but its very smooth almost like glass. would this work good in place of a barbers hone to just refresh the blade? thanks Brendan

if it is translucent Arkansas yes you can do.

Welcome onboard.

Here is a little information about honing:
What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

yes. That's a pretty small hone though, a larger one is easier and faster.

make sure it is a very fine grit. like the other member said translucent can be used. if you look around you can find a japanese 1000/6000 rather cheaply if you are a little tight on money right now. i myself use it, plus i have a norton
4000/8000(about$75) also have a chinese 12000 that can be bought for around $45 including s/h. also like the other post said it is better to use a larger hone, 8 x 2 3/4 x 1....good luck

Surgical black or translucent will get your razor sharp, but do YOU have enough patience? They are really slow.

I agree with Kees. It will work, if it one of the above stones, but they are supposed to be slow. When they're 4 inches by 1/2 inch then they're really slow!

Black arkansas is what I used whei I first started.I'll work fine just watch your fingers.

Just fell in love with mine again today.
Slow is good. It keeps you the most of your blade.
So don't let that drive you off.
Translucent and black Arkansas are fine hones.

That's a very small stone. Unless you are very careful, the blade might not be flat on the stone at all times. Arkansas stones aren't expensive. Buy a bigger stone for the long haul... (Doesn't have to be Arkansas whetstone if buying, does it.)