On Sep 25, 2009, at 12:22 PM, John Ruth wrote:

>
> Have you ever compared it with a "translucent white hard Arkansas  
> stone"? These are nearly mystical. They even LOOK mystical. They  
> polish the edge more than anything else - I cannot say that they  
> really form an edge, they are too hard.

  I use a translucent white arkansas stone as the final step in my  
sharpening routine. The finish it leaves is pretty shiny. I rarely  
strop afterward, butt occasionally do with green rouge on either  
leather or hard maple. It is hard to beat a THA for a final finish, tho!

Spike Cornelius
PDX
           Crazy for Shavings

------------------------------------------------------------------------