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The best soft Arkansas stone is genuine medium-grade novaculite that sets a working edge on a dull knife before you refine it on a Hard or Black stone. Soft is the coarsest and most versatile of the common Arkansas grades, and it is the stone many cooks reach for first.
We compared six Soft and Washita Arkansas stones on Amazon, from wide bench stones to pocket stones and combination stones.
Quick Answer: The Best Soft Arkansas Stone
- Best OverallDan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1/2 in. in Wood Box
- Best for Chef KnivesDan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Wide Bench Stone 8 x 3 x 1/2 in.
- Best AlternativeTaytools Genuine Soft (Medium) Arkansas Novaculite Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1/2 in.
- Best CombinationTaytools Soft/Surgical Black Arkansas Combination Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1 in.
- Best PocketDan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Pocket Stone 3 x 1 x 1/4 in.
- Best Coarser NaturalCase Washita Arkansas Oilstone
The Dan’s Soft Arkansas 8 x 2 in. bench stone is the best soft Arkansas stone for most kitchens. For chef knives, the 8 x 3 in. wide version is the best soft Arkansas stone for stability.
Best Soft Arkansas Stone Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan’s Soft Arkansas 8 in. | Best Overall | Soft Arkansas bench stone | Medium novaculite, 8 x 2 in., wood box | Check Price |
| Dan’s Soft Arkansas Wide | Best for Chef Knives | Soft Arkansas bench stone | Wide 8 x 3 in. medium novaculite | Check Price |
| Taytools Soft Arkansas | Best Alternative | Soft Arkansas bench stone | 8 x 2 in. medium novaculite in wood box | Check Price |
| Taytools Soft/Black Combo | Best Combination | Arkansas combination stone | Soft (medium) and Black (ultra fine) | Check Price |
| Dan’s Soft Pocket | Best Pocket | Soft Arkansas pocket stone | 3 x 1 in. with leather pouch | Check Price |
| Case Washita | Best Coarser Natural | Washita Arkansas stone | Soft natural oilstone with case | Check Price |
The 6 Best Soft Arkansas Stones
Ranked by authenticity, size, versatility and buyer feedback.
1. Dan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1/2 in. in Wood Box
1. 8 x 2 in. Soft novaculite in a wood box.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Coarsest and most versatile Arkansas grade
- Restores a working edge quickly
- Full bench size
Cons
- Not coarse enough for chipped edges
- Color varies stone to stone
📄 Detailed Review
- Stone: Soft Arkansas novaculite (medium)
- Size: 8 x 2 x 1/2 in.
- Origin: Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas
- Storage: Fitted wood box
The Soft grade is Dan’s coarsest Arkansas stone and the usual first step in an Arkansas progression.
It puts an initial edge on dull knives before you finish on Hard or Black.
2. Dan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Wide Bench Stone 8 x 3 x 1/2 in.
2. Wide 8 x 3 in. surface for tall blades.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 3 in. width suits chef knives
- Same proven Soft grade
- Stable for freehand work
Cons
- Costs more than the 2 in. version
- Heavier
📄 Detailed Review
- Stone: Soft Arkansas novaculite (medium)
- Size: 8 x 3 x 1/2 in.
- Origin: Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas
- Storage: Fitted wood box
The wide version gives tall kitchen blades more room and makes it easier to hold a steady angle.
It is the Soft Arkansas we would choose for a chef knife.
3. Taytools Genuine Soft (Medium) Arkansas Novaculite Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1/2 in.
3. Genuine Soft Arkansas from Taytools.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuine Soft Arkansas
- Full bench size
- Wood box
Cons
- Few ratings
- Natural variation
📄 Detailed Review
- Stone: Soft Arkansas novaculite
- Size: 8 x 2 x 1/2 in.
- Origin: Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas
- Storage: Wood box
This is Taytools’ Soft grade, the coarsest and most versatile Arkansas stone.
It is a good alternative to the Dan’s Soft bench stone.
4. Taytools Soft/Surgical Black Arkansas Combination Bench Stone 8 x 2 x 1 in.
4. Soft plus Black in one stone.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Widest grade spread in one stone
- Soft side for work, Black for polish
- Bench size
Cons
- Very few ratings
- Large jump between grades
📄 Detailed Review
- Grades: Soft (medium) + Surgical Black (ultra fine)
- Size: 8 x 2 x 1 in.
- Origin: Arkansas, USA
- Storage: Wood box
This combination pairs the coarsest and finest Arkansas grades.
It suits cooks who want a natural Soft stone plus a mirror-like finish without a third stone.
5. Dan’s Genuine Arkansas Soft (Medium) Pocket Stone 3 x 1 x 1/4 in.
5. Nearly a thousand ratings at a low price.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Nearly a thousand ratings
- Very affordable
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Too small for kitchen knives on the bench
- Hand-held use only
📄 Detailed Review
- Stone: Soft Arkansas novaculite
- Size: 3 x 1 x 1/4 in.
- Storage: Leather pouch
- Origin: Arkansas, USA
Dan’s pocket stones are the cheapest way to try genuine Arkansas novaculite.
They suit pocket knives, outdoor blades and quick touch-ups.
6. Case Washita Arkansas Oilstone
6. Washita grade for faster cutting.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Washita is the coarsest natural Arkansas grade
- Compact with a case
- Trusted knife brand
Cons
- Small for kitchen knives
- Mixed reviews on consistency
📄 Detailed Review
- Stone: Washita Arkansas (natural)
- Size: 5.3 x 1.6 x 1/4 in.
- Storage: Carrying case
- Brand: W. R. Case & Sons
Washita is a softer, faster-cutting Arkansas grade. Case sells this compact version for pocket and fixed blades.
It is a handy travel stone rather than a kitchen bench stone.
How We Chose the Best Soft Arkansas Stone
To research the best soft Arkansas stone, we compared stones and accessories sold on Amazon US by stone type (natural novaculite, Japanese or Belgian natural stone, or synthetic), stated grit or grade, size, lubricant (water or oil) and what is included. We then read patterns in verified-buyer reviews for cutting speed, edge finish, flatness, consistency between stones and how honestly each listing describes its origin.
Clean blades after sharpening and wash kitchen knives before they touch food again, following USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service cleanliness guidance. Our research method is on the How We Test page; this guide is based on specifications and buyer evidence, not lab testing.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Soft Arkansas Stone
What Soft Does
Soft Arkansas sets the edge. It is slower than a coarse synthetic but leaves a cleaner scratch pattern.
Soft vs Washita
Washita is coarser and more porous. Soft is denser and more common.
Size
Choose 8 x 2 in. for general kitchen use, 8 x 3 in. for chef knives.
Pair It
Follow Soft with Hard Arkansas, or buy a combination stone.
Color
Soft stones may be white, gray, pink or mixed. Color does not indicate grade.
When Soft Is Not Enough
A knife with chips, a rolled edge or years of neglect needs a coarse synthetic stone first. Soft Arkansas will get there eventually, but it can take a long time, and the extra strokes make it harder to keep a steady angle. Use Soft as the second step in that case.
Tips for Soft Arkansas Stones
- Oil the stone lightly before each session.
- Sharpen until you feel a burr along the whole edge.
- Move to Hard Arkansas to refine.
- Wipe gray slurry frequently.
- Scrub with soapy water when it glazes.
Quick answers to common questions about medium novaculite stones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soft Arkansas stone?
Dan’s Soft Arkansas 8 x 2 in. bench stone is the best soft Arkansas stone for most cooks.
What grit is Soft Arkansas?
Roughly 600–800 synthetic grit, though stones vary.
Is Soft Arkansas good for dull knives?
For moderately dull knives, yes; very dull knives need a coarse synthetic first.
Do I need Hard Arkansas too?
For a refined edge, yes.
Final Verdict
Our pick for the best soft Arkansas stone is the Dan’s 8 x 2 in. bench stone. Choose the 8 x 3 in. wide version for chef knives.
Related Guides
Keep building your sharpening setup with these guides:
- Best Hard Arkansas Stone 2026: 5 Fine Novaculite Picks Compared
- Best Arkansas Stone 2026: 7 Genuine Novaculite Stones for Knives
- How We Test and Research Kitchen Gear
- All Knife Sharpening Guides
Prices and availability change often. Check the current listing on Amazon before you buy.
