cleaning an oil stone

[John Frankl]

I have a couple of Norton India stones (one fine and one medium) that are in good shape but seem to have lost their bite due to clogging with oil and steel particles. I am wondering what the best ways are to bring them back to good working condition.

Thank,

John

 

[Blues]

"A clean stone works better. All stones should be oiled before each use, then wiped clean before they're put away. Because dirt and dust can load an oilstone just as much as sharpening dust and metal particles, always keep stones covered and in a clean place between uses.

When stones do need cleaning, use kerosene and scrub with a stiff fiber brush. Then re-soak the stone in oil. If a stone is so badly glazed that brushing doesn't work, rub down the stone surface with 80-120 grit abrasive paper instead, then re-oil. Proper maintenance can extend the life of a sharpening stone or file beyond what might be expected."

(Copied from Norton instructions available online at www.knifecenter.com)

 

[Alarion]

I use water with all my stones.
It works as well as oil and it's cleaner.
Stones may be cleaned if dipped in any oil solvent, such as kerosene, denatured alchool, acetone etc.

 

[Don Cowles]

An old trick I was shown for cleaning stones involves rubbing the faces of two stones together with a bit of kerosene. Cleans and flattens them both.