Norton Hard / Translucent Arkansas Stone 8″ X 2″ X 3/4″

When I was a kid I had a little oilstone for sharpening my scout knife. It worked. Later on as an adult, when I would buy Arkansas stones for sharpening I would find that they didn’t work particularly well. It was only when I began studying cabinetmaking that I learned why: the little stone I had as a kid was a Norton stone and Norton owns most of the supply of ultra fine grit Arkansas stones. As a result of the monopoly, until recently most retailers only carried lower priced stones- which are of a coarser grit and do not work as well. This is part of reason water stones became so popular. Anyway, word has gotten out on how good these stones are.

By the way while other manufacturers classify their stones as hard or translucent Norton doesn’t. The industry actually classifies stones by density and Norton calls everything “Hard” even if other makers would call them “translucent” or “black” or “surgical black.” Years ago I was told by a senior Norton executive that they don’t actually sell what other companies call “Hard”. Those stones they sell to other manufacturers. These stones however are the finest stones Norton sells, have no hidden cracks. Like all modern Arkansas stones but with diamond saws the stones start out a little coarse but quickly wear into glass smooth.

“I was surprised how fast it cuts. I’m currently using a couple planes and several chisels I sharpened with it. It did a nice job and the edges, of course, stand up just like they should.
Now I’m wishing I had bought one years ago. I have had several hard Arkansas stones for years but they were of lesser quality and didn’t cut nearly as fast. It doesn’t polish as well as my super fine waterstone but it’s close and the old waterstone is getting pretty thin from having to constantly flatten it. I wouldn’t have switched to waterstones in the first place if I’d had a stone like the one I got from you.”
— Larry Williams, Clark & Williams Planemakers

With normal use, these stones will never cup or wear. Really, never!! I have seen stones in daily classroom use for 25 years and they look brand new. The only other things you need to have to sharpen to razor sharp is a medium India stone and a plain leather strop. We sell the India stones and you can get a piece of scrap leather anywhere. 8″ x 2″ x 3/4″.