Genuine Arkansas Whetstone Novaculite Bench Sharpening Stones in Wood Box Sizes 4" to 12"

Bench Stones are commonly used for sharpening knives and cutting tools. These genuine Arkansas bench stones come in a variety of sizes, from the compact 4" x 2" all the way up the the huge 12" x 3". 

These genuine Arkansas Novaculite stones are quarried in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas. They are highly sought after worldwide for their superior ability to put a keen edge on knives and woodworking tools, as well as to put surgical quality edges on a wide range of instruments. Arkansas stones are classified as Novaculite, which is an extremely hard and fine-grained mineral containing almost pure silica. Arkansas stones produce razor sharp edges with less wear that manmade stones. Many consider novaculite to be the rarest and finest abrasive in existence. These stones are classified in 4 grades and progress from Soft to Hard to Translucent and finally to Surgical Black. Each grade is based on the specify gravity or density of the mineral and not the grit or particle size. The grades with more dense or tightly packed particles will produce a finer or sharper edge. In addition, stone grades are not determined by color, as color alone will not differentiate the hardness of different stone grades. Arkansas stones are a natural product, and each stone is different and each grade may contain any of the following colors: black, blue-black, charcoal, grey, white, multi-color, brown, pink or red, or a combination of these colors in a single stone. These stones come fitted in a wooded box to protect them when not in use. All Arkansas stones work best with a coating of light mineral honing oil to suspend metal particles and prevent clogging.

 Stone grades: 

Soft (medium) stones are the coarsest of the Arkansas stones and are the most versatile and most popular of the Arkansas stones. The Soft grade is used to quickly establish the initial edge on dull or neglected knives or other edge tools. The edge produced by a Soft (Medium) grade is comparable to 600-800 grit. Color of Soft stones can vary widely from white to gray/ black to pink/gray, or a combination of these colors.

Hard (fine) stones are used to establish and maintain the keen edge on cutting tools. Hard  stones produce an edge comparable to 800-1000 grit. Color of Hard stones may range from Grey, White, Black/Grey, Grey/Pink, Black/ White, White or White/ Pink, or a combination of these colors in a single stone.

Translucent Arkansas (Extra Fine) are harder than the Soft, Hard or True Hard Arkansas stones and are used to put a polished, razor sharp edge on knives and other edge tools. The edge produced by a Translucent stone is comparable to 1200+ grit. Colors may vary between translucent white, grey, yellow, pink or brown. 

Black Arkansas - Also known as "Surgical Black" (Ultra Fine) are the hardest of the Arkansas stones and were historically used to sharpen dental tools and scalpels, hence the name "Surgical." The Black Arkansas stones will hone a polished, razor sharp edge on knives and other tools. Black Arkansas stones are the favorite of the most discerning chefs, sportsman and woodworkers. The edge produced by Surgical Black stones is comparable to 1200+ grit. Color can vary from dark grey, to blue/black to black. 

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