Premium Arkansas Novaculite Combination Knife Sharpening Stone 10" x 2" x 1" - Dual Grit Soft/Hard Bench Stone in Wooden Box for Kitchen, Hunting & Outdoor Knives - Perfect for Chefs, Butchers & Outdoor Enthusiasts

Genuine Arkansas Novaculite Sharpening Stones What makes Arkansas stones so special? Genuine Arkansas Novaculite sharpening stones are quarried in the Ouachita Mountains of western/central 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 dental and surgical instruments. Arkansas stones produce these fine edges with less wear that manmade stones. Arkansas stones are classified as Novaculite, which is an extremely hard and fine-grained mineral containing almost pure silica. 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 specific 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. Arkansas Stone Grades Soft (Medium) 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 on 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) 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 (Extra Fine) 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. Surgical Black (Ultra Fine) Surgical Black Arkansas (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. Types of Stones Available Bench Stones Bench stones are perfect for sharpening knives, woodworking tools or other edge tools. Bench stones come in Soft, Hard, Translucent or Surgical Black grades. Sizes range from 4" x 2" x 1/2" up to 12" x 3" x 1/2". These stones come fitted in a wooded box to protect them when not in use. Combination Bench Stones Bench stones are perfect for sharpening knives, woodworking tools or other edge tools. These Arkansas bench stones come with two stone grades in one. One side will always be the Soft (Medium) grade and the opposite with be either Hard (Fine) or Surgical Black (Ultra Fine). Sizes range from 6" x 2" x 1" up to 10" x 3" x 1". These stones come fitted in a wooded box to protect them when not in use. Pocket Stones Pocket stones are prefect for smaller knives and are very portable. These pocket stones measure 3" x 1" x 3/8". Having a sharpening stone close at hand is often the key to having a sharp tool. Pocket stones come in Soft, Hard, Translucent and Surgical Black grades These stones come in an imitation leather pouch. Slip Stones Slip stones will sharpen carving gouges, molding plane blades and any edge tool with a concave edge. These slip stones measures 4" long x 2" wide by 3/8” thick and taper from 3/8” one end to 1/8” on the other. Slip stones come in Soft, Hard, Translucent and Surgical Black stone grades. These stones come in an imitation leather pouch.