Arkansas Stone In The Eu?

September 16, 2015

Hello,

I would like to sharpen some of my italic nibs, and after reading the article here: http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/aboutpens/ludwig-tan.html I've decided to seek an Arkansas stone that is suitable for sharpening nibs. Do you know where/if I could find one inside the EU? Thanks!

Cheers

September 16, 2015

If you can use Amazon I would look on there. Not just for Arkansas stone, but for sharpening stone or whetstone

September 16, 2015

Arkansas is known for having particularly good stone to use for sharpening, but sharpening stones can come from many places and countries, maybe even Hungary. Just look for a something called a "sharpening stone" or "whetstone."

September 16, 2015

Also beware that there is more than one kind of Arkansas stone.

When used with knives, I learned that I had to clean them from time to time (as the plug up and stop cutting). Anyhow, they are but a rock, and if you are in Europe I suspect you can find appropriate locally available rocks OR synthetics.

Jody

September 17, 2015

Arkansas stones are expensive and come in various grades. Would suggest looking for "crystolon" or "india" stones, manmade stones that are a bit rougher and a lot cheaper. Many penmen use nail buffers for final finishing, especially the ones made of foam rubber. Also, micromesh screen and wet-dry sandpaper are used. Synthetic whetstones are great but cost quite a bit, in my experience.

If you get out of the city proper, the Bucharest region should have many fine-grained sandstones that would also work well for sharpening an italic nib.

Best of luck,

September 17, 2015

I bought a little one a few months ago for about £10 from redroosteruk off eBay UK for sharpening my engraving tools. Small (about 2.5x5cm) but good quality, does the job well. I imagine it would be good for nibs also.

Cheers,

Christina

September 17, 2015

Thank you for the answers; I've decided to look in my own "back yard" in order to source out a proper grinding stone. Do you know what granularity (grit) I should aim for? Are grinding stone grits compatible with sandpaper grits? (I'm looking to start learning how to grind italic nibs from round points as well).

Cheers!

September 17, 2015

With genuine arkansas stones, there are generally two types - soft (fine) and hard (very fine). I would look in any shops that sell hunting knives and outdoor/camping supplies.

With the synthetic stones, you would probably start looking in the same types of shops, as well as suppliers to commercial kitchens. Cooks need something to sharpen their knives on.

Also eBay - http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC0.A0.H0.Xarkansas+stone.TRS0&_nkw=arkansas+stone&_sacat=0

September 18, 2015

If you look for native stones, look at the regularity of grain and the size of the grit. Usually, fine and very fine stones are fairly easy to find. It is harder to find a good coarse or medium stone. Fortunately, silicon carborundum stones are easy to find and fairly cheap. They are great coarse and medium stones, usually in one combination stone.

Best of luck,