Advice, please

T

Tom Holt

Joined
Dec 30, 1999
Messages
475
Today, I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of Arkansas stones at a flea market; they're the first I've ever seen in the UK.

So; how should I use them? Any hints gratefully received.
 
I have a few suggestions. Always use "honing" oil, not lubricating oil on natural stones. A cheap alternative is an even mixture of mineral oil and mineral spirits. I learned this from Pete Hamiliton shop foreman Randall made knives. It is necessary to keep the pores of the stones clean, not filled with steel. You should constantly wipe off the stone to the original color to be sure the stone is abrassive and removes particles of steel. If it looks grayish, take a rag and scrub it clean.

Maintaining a constant angle and even pressure is all you need to do. [easier said than done] The "flatter" you hold your blade, the sharper the edge but more prone to chipping. You need to develop a "feel" when sharpening, it takes time. Practise with your kitchen knives first, the wife will love you for it.

As far as sharpening khukuris, go to the "FAG" in the forum. There is some very good info. Good luck!:)
 
As far as sharpening khukuris, go to the "FAG" in the forum. There is some very good info. Good luck!
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ROFLMAO!!:eek: :D :D :D

The very well groomed/dressed, all-seeing, all-knowing, all-singing, all-dancing, flamboyant guru of the Bladeforums!

Truly Awesome. Somebody pinch me.:D
 
No. Not...


Hamiltonlegup.jpg


:eek: :D
 
Arkansas stones are not oil stones. I put oil on the first arkansas stone that I ever owned and just about ruined it.
Use water on those stones. All you need is liquid to help clean metal particles from the stone. I know that many of the dealers tell you to use oil but, they are selling the stuff. Of course they want you to buy it. But what happens when you have no access to any oil, like a long stay in the woods.
If that is what you want to do go ahead but, don't use it on one of mine.
 
I was told you could use oil, water, or nothing. But once you make your choice you cant turn back. Are Arkansas Stones becoming rare or something? Ive got bunch that friends just keep dumping on me. Nice little stones.
 
I don't think they are getting hard to find. I have seen many for sale at different sites on the net.
I was told by an old gunsmith that did a lot of stock work that he didn't use oil on his chisels. He used wax on them. Water on his stones. Once they have been oiled they don't clean up the stone as well as plain water. After they have been used with oil they are very hard to clean up to use water.
The one I used oil on I had to soak in mineral spirits for several days to get the oil out of.
You are right, they are good stones. I don't understand why any one would get rid of one. I broke one and epoxied it back together on a piece of wood and still use it.:)
 
arkansas stones
I'm with Pappy on this one, oil and Arkansas stones don't mix. Water, even cold coffee, works best for me, dry with nothing on it is next best. If your stone gets clogged up try boiling it in a pot with a little dish soap added to the water. Use an old pot.:rolleyes: :D

Sarge
 
That's very interesting, I 'm not sure there is a difference in stones or not. I have "water" stones, intended to be used with water only, and two type of Arkansas stones , used the honing oil not lubricating oil, a big difference. Cleaning them has never been a problem for me. I'll take a few photos, perhaps they are different? They say Arkansas stone on the wood box. Oh well I'll let you decide. All the best
 
I took a photo of the water stone vs the Arkansas ,two types, "oilstones. As you can see, the natural, Arkansas box said....whetstone - oilstone.... [must mean oil or water?]. I have used these stones since the eighties with honing oil and there still as new, just clean them. The water stone is man made, which I use for the good kitchen knives. I hope this helps somewhat.;)
 
Now I'm confused...

The reason I asked is because I remembered reading somewhere that Arkansas stones were waterstones, not oilstones.

Well, I bought two. I'll try one with water and see what happens.

Many thanks to all

Tom
 
some come pre-oiled, so check first

All this talk of Fags, oil and lube... making my head swirl :eek: :eek: :barf: :p
 
Originally posted by pendentive
some come pre-oiled, so check first
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I assume you mean the stones.;)

All this talk of Fags, oil and lube... making my head swirl :eek: :eek: :barf: :p
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Imagine how excited you would be if you actually 'played for the other team':eek:

:D

PS: It took me a bloody long time to find a Zorro picture. Why? Not one 'Zorro the Gay Blade' pic on the net!:grumpy: The one posted is actually Bunny Wigglesworth, Zorro's English dandy brother.
 
All I can say is that I've had for years a medium Arkansas stone and a smaller finer stone that I bought as a set from Buck accompanied by a can of honing oil. They've both been glazed over and useless for years after using them with that one can of oil and I really don't know why I've still got them. Pappy has inspired me to consider soaking them in solvent or trying to clean them up with WD-40 and maybe lapping them with some carborundum paper. I use water on a synthetic "Oregon Stone" and I also have some Japanese waterstones. I really don't see why one should mess with oil when water seems to work for many stones. At least try it first...easier to go from water to oil than the other way 'round I think.

And to the geezer, perserverance does pay off when searchin the net...well done!
 
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