Dan’s Whetstone Company understands that some purchases can be confusing. To show our concern for our customers, Dan’s Whetstone Company has taken the time to make and provide you with a list of the most common questions we are asked. Because Dan’s Whetstone Company takes pride in ensuring that we match the grade, classification, quality, and price of the stone to the individual customer’s need please contact us if you need further assistance.
What is the grit size for each grade of Arkansas Stone?
Arkansas Novaculite stones are classified by specific gravity and not the size of the grain. The grain of the silica crystals that form Novaculite are essentially the same size, 3-5 microns, whether the stone is classified as Soft Arkansas or True Hard Arkansas. Using Specific Gravity Testing, Dan’s Whetstone Company measures the density of their stones, that is the compactness of the grains bonded together. Therefore the harder stones would then have more grains than the softer stones. Since the grit size of Arkansas Novaculite does not widely vary, it is difficult to compare it with the grit sizes of man-made stones. Grit measurement standards for traditional man-made stones vary internationally. By U.S. grit standards, genuine Novaculite most closely relates to the 600-1200 grit size.
Do I need to lubricate my whetstones? What should I use?
Dan’s recommends that you use honing oil, a light mineral oil, to lubricate your stones during the honing process. Honing oil does more than serve as a lubricant, it also suspends the steel shavings from your knife and prevents them from clogging the pores of your whetstone. Whetstones should be cleaned after each use by rubbing a liberal amount of honing oil onto the stone and then wiping the excess honing oil away with a clean cloth.
What causes the color in Novaculite and will it affect the honing process?
To our knowledge in all known applications the color in our stones do not impede the honing process or make the grade of the stone inconsistent. During sedimentation and subsequent geologic events over the last 300 million years, various minerals were dispersed throughout the rock causing the color variations in our stones. For instance, the rust red color in True Hard stone is most likely caused by trace amounts of Manganese. Customers should also be aware that color is not the determining factor in grading Novaculite. Novaculite is 99.898% pure silica with only trace amounts of other substances (Aluminum, 0.02%; Boron, 0.0005%; Calcium, 0.03%; Magnesium, 0.05%; and Manganese, 0.0007%).
Is it true? Someone told me that you can’t get genuine Black Arkansas Novaculite Stones anymore?
Dan’s Whetstone Company can say with a great amount of confidence that this is a false statement. Deposits of Novaculite are found in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas with whetstone grade concentrations being located in Garland and surrounding counties which can supply generations. For more information regarding Novaculite please read our page Novaculite 101.
Is it safe to order on-line? Can someone steal my credit card information?
Dan’s Whetstone Company has a secure on-line ordering system, we take every precaution to protect our user’s information. When users submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and off-line. (Dan’s does not sell their mailing lists) When you click on the check out button you are automatically transferred to a secure site. When our order form asks users to enter sensitive information (such as credit card number), that information is encrypted and protected. While on a secure page, such as our order form, a lock icon on the bottom or top of some Web browsers becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked, or open, when you are just ‘surfing’. Another way to tell if you are on a secure page is to look at the URL (you can look in the address box or right-click on the page and select Properties to see URL). Secure URLs start with https:// instead of http://. If you still do not feel comfortable ordering a product on-line we will gladly accept your order through our fax line, by phone, or in person.
How can I contact Dan’s Whetstone Company?
If you have any other questions about natural Arkansas Whetstones or our Beverage Buddies Sandstone Coasters, please do not hesitate to contact Dan’s Whetstone Company, Inc.
e-Mail: questions@DansWhetstone.com
Telephone: 1-501-767-1616
Postal address:
Dan’s Whetstone Company, Inc.
418 Hilltop Road
Pearcy, AR 71964