So, my honing progression has been Norton 250/1k combo (only using the 1k for bevel setting), then Norton 4k/8k, then Naniwa 12k, recently replaced with an ILR after watching Dr Matt's Youtube video. I actually think I found the secret sauce to that stone. And its not using it under running water. Its using a squirt bottle of plain water at the bench and doing some laps, then a squirt bottle of water with a little dish soap and doing laps, and finally using lather on the stone and doing laps. I think this has the effect of simulating progressively lighter pressure and I have had really good results using it this way.
But, I've been fascinated with all the talk on here about coticules and Arkansas stones so I bought these from Sharpening Supplies. Both are 6 inches X 2 inches.
I have two questions.
1) Is this really a Hard Black Arkansas? The reason I ask is it has been surprisingly easy to lap using my Norton Lapping stone that I use on my water stones. I read about nightmares trying to true them using W/D sand paper and other methods.
2) I understand color can be a tell tale regarding what a coticule is going to be like. Is that true? Just by touch this one seems very smooth and fine grained. I just got them and haven't honed on either stone yet. The coticule didn't come with a slurry stone, but I have one on order
Anyway, after my breakthrough with the ILR last night, these might be eBayed or end up on the BST section of this site.
But anyone familiar with them, please let me know what you know about them. Thanks!!
But, I've been fascinated with all the talk on here about coticules and Arkansas stones so I bought these from Sharpening Supplies. Both are 6 inches X 2 inches.
I have two questions.
1) Is this really a Hard Black Arkansas? The reason I ask is it has been surprisingly easy to lap using my Norton Lapping stone that I use on my water stones. I read about nightmares trying to true them using W/D sand paper and other methods.
2) I understand color can be a tell tale regarding what a coticule is going to be like. Is that true? Just by touch this one seems very smooth and fine grained. I just got them and haven't honed on either stone yet. The coticule didn't come with a slurry stone, but I have one on order
Anyway, after my breakthrough with the ILR last night, these might be eBayed or end up on the BST section of this site.
But anyone familiar with them, please let me know what you know about them. Thanks!!