Is anyone using aluminum oxide stones dry?

[Roger Blake]

Has anyone used aluminum oxide stones dry? If so are they had to maintain? Is frequent cleaning requiered? How do you clean them?

 

[Jeff Clark]

I usually use AlO stones under running tap water, but I have used them dry on many occasions. Tip #1, once you have used oil on them they tend to clog up rapidly when used dry and they are harder to clean. In general I clean them between uses with hot water, abrasive sink cleanser, and a brush. A fine wire brush works well and so does any reasonable dish or scrub brush. I've even used a tooth brush on occasion. Sink cleaner even does pretty well for working out oil from a stone. I like "Bartender's Friend" which is intended for stainless sinks and does not contain potentially corrosive bleach. If you use something like Comet, be sure to rinse it off the stone and rinse your blade after sharpening.

 

[Crayola]

Is anyone using oil?

Seriously, water stones should be used with water. Any other stone, has has been my experience, can be used dry. I have one of those fingernail brushes that I scrub my stones with between sharpenings under running water. Lay the stone out to dry, and you're good to go.

This applies to stones that HAVEN'T been oiled before.