Lansky Question: Do I need to use the oil?

medusaoblongata

medusaoblongata

Joined
May 1, 2000
Messages
2,259
Lansky says to use it, but I've heard others say that it isn't necessary at all. Can anyone clue me in on your experiences?

TIA

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
I have the Deluxe set, with the extra coarse, coarse, medium, fine, and extra fine stones.
I use the oil on the extra coarse, coarse, and medium only.
 
I have the diamond deluxe and I always use the oil. See the difference between using no oil and then oil. You'll notice that with oil the stones glide onto the edge, reducing friction, yet still shaping the edge perfectly.

shankman
 
If you have already used oil with them, keep using oil. If you haven't used oil on them yet, use the oil on a squeaky gate or for your car.

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"Come What May..."
 
I had a Lansky, and I noticed that oil made it have to be cleaned out less under the sink and still cut effectively. Also, the polish on the edge wouldn't be as scratchy.

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
The The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening by John Juranitch states flatly that you shoud not use oil; the author seems to feel you get a faster, sharper edge without oil, and while the stones require more frequent cleaning, his own Razor Edge honing system is not intended for use with oil.

I started out using oil, but after reading that book, I stopped. I'm not actually sure if I get a better edge without oil or not; I know the stones do get dirtier and require more frequent cleaning to take off the ground-in metal particles. But it's a lot less messy, and that's what matters to me.

On a related note, a previous post mentioned using diamond hones with oil. I thought the whole point to diamond grit hones was that they were not intended for use with oil...? It's my understanding that diamond stones should be used with water only, if anything.

Razor


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AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.

 
I use water with my Lansky system.
Cuts fast, easy clean-up, scary sharp edge.
The only problem is that after a while, the stones get smooth (clogged up?) and I can no longer clean them. I normally clean with water and cleanser. So I replace the stones about once a year.
Lenny
 
I use oil on all of my stones and on the ceramic sticks too. The ceramic sticks are a good example of using oil or not, where not using oil makes for a slightly quicker touch up but the sticks load up very quickly. It's not a big deal for light touch ups but otherwise requires rather frequent cleaning. Using oil extends the required cleaning significantly and even makes the cleaning easier. To clean my well oiled Arkansas stones I just flush the surface with some fresh oil and wipe it off with a paper towel, and so far I've never had a problem with the stones loadng up. My silicon carbide stones also work much better with oil, and although I never have problems with them loading up I also end up grinding them flat on a regular basis anyway.

New stones can soak up a fair amount of oil, it can get messy and require a few paper towels on a larger job, and while I find that oil works better than water or nothing I also sharpen more tools than lightly used knives.
 
Lenny
Have you tried carburetor cleaner on them?
Years ago I used lighter fluid which also worked. I've cleaned up some pretty messed up benchstones with the carb cleaner that I picked up at flea markets. It might give you a bit more use before replacing them.

[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 10-13-2000).]
 
I agree with razoredj. I read John's book in the early 80's when I was in the Navy and have not used oil since. Coarse stone right to a fine stone.I have never had any problems.Afterwards a tooth brush and dawn dish liquid cleans the stones great!I used to hate the mess oil made.Myself I have noticed the lansky tends to bevel one edge higher than the other.I don't care for that either.
 
No you don't NEED to use the oil, youNEED to get a Sharpmaker. I had a Lansky (deluxe diamond+ultrafine) before I got mine and if you don't use oil it'll clog the pores really fast. It'll never work as good as a Sharpmaker 204

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
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