Unboxing Arkansas Stones From Dan’s Whetstone Co. (Washita and Black)

2 awesome stones are unboxed in this video! A Washita-the coarsest Arkansas stone, and the Black Arkansas-one of the finest of Arkansas stones.
These are certainly the best of both worlds and just wait till you see the natural beauty of these stones!
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#knife #knifesharpening #sharpening #offthestone
Stay tuned because I’ve started a series of 30 different videos explaining different techniques for knife sharpening. These videos will be packed with tons of different knife sharpening hacks that will help you to master sharpening and enjoy it! Most importantly, your knives will cut efficiently for the tasks at hand!
Thanks for watching and God bless!

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

I really need a Washita!

[@offthestone]

Yes! They are amazing!

[@Eric-en9hk]

Very interesting video! Thanks for the insight.

[@offthestone]

@Eric Love. For sure!

[@nicholasswain5430]

That spyderco ultra fine is great. I'm currently waiting on my first translucent from Dan's.

[@t.michaelbodine4341]

These are very nice. I don’t have any natural stones yet

[@sharpwhits0167]

I have an old Indian mountain washita. I haven't used it much. Need to get it out and play with it. I might have to call up Dan's and see if they have any washitas in stock.

[@offthestone]

Your Washita sounds pretty awesome. I love using them with high carbon stainless steels. Seems to be a good match. I recently purchased a 8x2x1 Washita from them, so they seem to have some.

[@presbyterianmonergist2250]

Arkansas stones do not garner the recognition deserved in many cases. Rough Rooster says his blue-black is infidelity finer than the black.

[@offthestone]

@Sovereign Grace Lover. I agree. They are some of my favorite stones to sharpen with, and they yield amazing results. My blue-black is so interesting. I really couldn’t believe it was a different grade of Arkansas, but it definitely is. Seems like a black and translucent hybrid. I’ll have to do a review on it soon! Rooster is probably right about it being finer because it is the smoothest one to the touch that I own. I just haven’t sharpened with it enough to form an opinion. I have two other blacks and they are super fine finishing stones. I’m excited to sharpen more with it to be able to really see what it does! Thanks for the comment. I’ll hopefully have some new content soon. Been really busy, so it’s been hard to make any new videos.

[@billsmutz6999]

Can you tell me about the paring knife. Nana? Thanks, Bill Smutz

[@offthestone]

Hi, Bill. The paring knife is a wharncliffe style blade with 440c stainless steel. Can’t remember what kind of wood the handle is made of, but it’s nice and smooth but stays in the hand. The knife is great for small tasks and an amazing apple peeler. Sharpens like a dream! The company that makes these knives is on Facebook. Here is a link: facebook.com/mannaknives The owner said he will be starting up here again soon!

[@GOG223]

Didn’t know Dan’s still sold Washitas. Not on their website. Did you call them up?

[@offthestone]

@GOG223, Yea, I had to call them. I saw Washitas on their website in their novaculite grade section. It says they have limited availability, so I’d call them up if you’re interested. The Washita I received is amazing! It cuts really fast. I’ve recorded a video using it, but haven’t posted it yet. Thanks for watching!

[@GOG223]

@@offthestone How was it priced relative to say their softs?

[@offthestone]

@GOG223, About the same price.

[@fallenstudent1103]

I don't think it's that black and white ironically enough. Even within the same type of stone there can be some variation in quality

[@offthestone]

Yea, there is always variation being they are natural stones. I think one thing we can all conclude is that if you finish on a black or a translucent, you are going to have a very fine edge! I like your “black and white” comment! It was quite punny if you think of the colors of the black and translucent 🤣

[@wachinstuf]

Are these 2x8? I’m considering finally buying one from dans and can’t decide between 2x6 and 2x8. May regret not getting the 2x8 up front but 2x6 is certainly enough for my kitchen knives

[@offthestone]

They are 8x2x1/2. I’ve had the same thoughts and had considered the two sizes considerably in the past. With my technique these days, (push and pull sharpening) I can even utilize a 4in stone no problem. But if you like to do single strokes, I’d consider the 8in 👍

[@wachinstuf]

@@offthestoneI better go 2x8 so I don’t regret it later. Regarding the Washita stone, I don’t see a dedicated video on it - how do you like it? At the moment I have a Chosera 800 as my medium and usual start point unless a knife is really dull or damaged. Would you say the washita is worth it? Can it replace something like a Chosera 800? Speed? Any loading on the stone? Can’t say I hate anything more than Stone loading

[@offthestone]

Yea, 8x2 is safe. I bought a 8x2x1 Washita from Dan’s not too long ago. I would definitely call it a medium stone. I use it for all of my knives that aren’t super dull and if they aren’t super steels. Washita’s do load up, and decently fast I’d say. They clean up fairly well though with oil, definitely not water. It won’t load up as fast if you oil the stone initially before sharpening, but I like to use it dry and then wipe the load up with oil on a towel or rag. I recently made a video about the Washita and blue black Arkansas stones that’s called warming discussion about two unique Arkansas stones. The blue black is becoming one of my favorite stones.

[@wachinstuf]

@@offthestone thanks for the detailed response and I’ll check out the video you mentioned. I’ll have to give some thought to the washita then and start with either translucent or black as a finisher for my kitchen knives. I wonder if dawn and water on the stone would help prevent load up (washita)? Also, I’d be careful using stones dry, metal shavings could be in the air and you may inhale some (unless you sharpen with some type of ventilation mask I suppose. In any case, appreciate the quick responses!

[@offthestone]

Ahh, I did not think about that. That’s good advice and thanks for mentioning! Some guys use oil, dawn, and water and swear by it for Arks. In my experience, water doesn’t stop the load up that well with Arks but oil does. I’ve used the mixture of all 3 and it works pretty well, just gotta figure out the proportions. Though oil works great for load up, it’s slippy. My favorite set up now is using a Washita then a blue black or a coarser stone and then the blue black. Gives very sharp and clean edge 👌

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

Dans Washita stones are not actual Washita stones, they are just really low density soft Arkansas stones.

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

The black is finer than the Translucent, and the blue black is finer than the black. You ever watched my videos? 🤔

[@offthestone]

Yea Rooster, I’ve seen and enjoy your videos 👍🏻 You actually inspired me to get a blue-black. Dan’s did tell me the blue-black is a little finer than a black. I just haven’t sharpened enough with it to see a big difference. Always really busy, but I’ll have to do a video finishing on the blue-black. It is a really unique stone, and I do love it! Thanks for your input.

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

@@offthestone I have a blue black, I don't know where it originated. But that's on my list is a Dan's blue black. But I really don't use it enough to buy one. I personally like the edge from a black a bit better.

[@offthestone]

@Rough Rooster I love the black. What an amazing stone! I loved your vid where you finished ZDP on a black and got it whittling! Props, brother 👏

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

@@offthestone man if you are doing this the way you say you are, you can do it. And if you can't at this point yet.. You'll be able to soon enough.

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

@@offthestone yea boy that black is a very underrated stone.