Yes, the hard is in the middle and the other one is the soft that is very soft.That's the hard in the middle? Yeah, looks like the same stone.
What was sold as a soft a few decades ago is called a hard these days.
The smaller stone you've got on top looks like a semi-translucent #1 Washita to me.
You have some really nice stones. That semi translucent does look a lot like my Smith's. I think a guy probably could get a shaving edge off of them but I have never tried it. Not sure if I am skilled enough to do it but I am going to give it a try.Got an over sized slip stone in a lot. Semi translucent and very clean edges and shape. Not exactly a razor hone but lucky Arkansas find.
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The seam on the left lower is not an issue, the light spot in the center is a texture change(hate that in a fine stone) and the right upped 1/4 pure trash. The stone should have been crushed and used under someones drive way.
It's a good suggestion but yes, it's been lapped in an effort to fix it's problems, coarse and fine diamond plate. I thought I might be able to smooth it out but I can't, it's full of open pores.Have you used a good straight edge and looked for light. I have a hunch that the problems could be solved by an aggressive lapping. I think it may be one or two things. One would be the blacker areas I'm seeing where you describe a texture change. If it's a new stone, it may well be embedded lapping grit from the factory. The lapping material can break down during factory lapping and become a problem in a more porous stone. I got a regular hard from Dan's loaded with lapping left overs. I assume you got it new but if it's been used, I'd say the dark areas are low and it's loaded. Can't hurt to try even though it's a pain.
Fixed that for ya.You guys are killing me... it’s clear I need a couple trans.
LolFixed that for ya.
Thank you. Sounds like they may be purchasing their stones these days. Hard for me to believe that the Norton mine is the last of the Washita stone left in the state after reading some of the early geological survey's of Arkansas.Arkansasoilstone.com
Nice! I would have too.Just bought an 8” boxed Norton Hard Ark on the bay for 40 bucks. I didn’t need it, but for 40 bucks I had to.