[jack404]

America started to develop its own semi unique knife style in the mid to late 1700's

so while the UK and europe stuck with steels as the be all and end all to blades you folks went back to stone , because you had way better stuff that whats commonly found in europe i think mainly, Arkansas stone is know around the world

traditionally a hard stone was for finer work , final sharpenings , more dainty blades etc
a soft stone is for facing ( nick removal) shapeing and rough work removing more metal

thanks to jestor for fixing my goof ( had the stones reversed ... sorry tired.... try climbing a comm tower at midnight in 40 miles winds.. errr i'll explain after monday here)

some folks only like hard stones some folks like the draw edge a soft stone can make

i have a small soft stone and steel for my knives i carry

nothing new there

the stones 100+ years old and the steel is a wilkinson sword meant for chef's knives and 50+ years old

and am looking for a large bench set of soft and hard stones for the new shed

and i can shave with 2 of the 4 i carry , the third is the Kbar and sharp enough , but a draw edge is a tad blunt to shave with , i use that to go through joints on game

the fourth is a kershaw system blade set ie GP, boner and a saw