Soft Arkansas is considered the coarsest of Arkansas sharpening stones, with a grit range of 400-600 that will provide the initial edges and first level of polishing. Arkansas stones resist wear and require only occasional touch up to flatten. This Soft Arkansas Stone measures 8" x 3" x 1/2" and is big enough to handle any hand plane blade, with lots of room for most anything you want or need to sharpen. It comes in a wood storage box. Stone can be used with or without lubrication, but we suggest light oil, which will keep the stone’s surface fresh and free from glazing that could potentially diminish the stone’s performance.
RH Preyda Arkansas Stones
RH Preyda’s 100% natural Arkansas stones are made from Novaculite quarried in the Ouachita Mountains, near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The unique cryptocrystalline structure and density are the keys to the stones retaining their effective abrasion characteristics and shapes with what amounts to minimal care.
Arkansas Stones and Grit.
Arkansas stones are graded on hardness and not grit, but grit is an easier concept for most to grasp so a grit equivalent is offered as a comparison to synthetic stones. The grit range of natural stones will vary, so in most cases a range of grit is offered – again as a comparison to synthetic stones.
Arkansas Stones = Synthetic Stone Equivalent

Soft Arkansas
400-600 grit
Hard Arkansas
800-1000 grit
Hard Black Arkansas
2000-3000 grit
Surgical Black Arkansas
4000-6000 grit
Translucent Arkansas
8000-12,000 grit