The Old Arkansas Stone Every Hunter Over 65 Should Own (Grandpa's Was in the Kitchen Drawer), by Lost American Arms on YouTube. 17 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Look at the stone's color and density. Soft Arkansas is grey and porous, Hard is denser and lighter, Translucent and Black are the finest. Color alone does not prove the grade.
Check the ends and edges for chips. A badly chipped stone will scratch a blade, so set it aside or grind the chip smooth first.
Decide on oil or water. Old makers' booklets recommend oil for Arkansas stones because it floats away metal particles. Water works but dries faster.
Wipe off old oil and grit with a rag and soapy water. Do not soak a soft stone for hours or it can swell.
Lay a sheet of 80 to 120 grit wet and dry paper on flat glass or tile. Wet the paper and rub the stone face down in circles.
Check flatness with a straight edge every minute. Keep going until the whole face is even and no hollow shows.
Repeat with 220 and then 400 grit paper to smooth the surface. Rinse the stone and let it dry.
Apply a few drops of honing oil and sharpen a test knife. If the stone glazes over, clean it again with paper and oil.
When buying new, read the label for the grade name and the maker. Skip look-alike Norton India or Crystolon stones if you want novaculite.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use a pull-through carbide sharpener on a good knife, it scrapes off metal fast.
Keep the stone in its wooden box so the lid protects the face from dust and chips.
Modern high-vanadium steels wear down soft Arkansas stones, so use a harder grade for those blades.
Flatten the stone before every few sharpening sessions to stop it dishing.
Questions
Does the color tell me the grade?
No. Soft, Hard, Translucent and Black grades overlap in color, so check density and the maker's label instead.
Can I use water instead of oil?
Yes, water works, but it dries quickly and rusts carbon steel. Oil is the traditional choice for Arkansas stones.
How do I know if my old stone is an Arkansas stone?
It feels dense and smooth, looks like pale grey or white stone, and often came in a fitted wooden box. A quick rub with oil shows a fine, even surface.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
