Newb Question of the Day

rkmoore

rkmoore

Joined
Oct 30, 2010
Messages
2,870
I just got an Arkansas Hard Select stone approximately 11 x 2.5" and want to know if I have to use oil on it or if water will work too. It's new and unused so there's no oil on it yet.
Thanks,
RK
 
If you will read on them, all the stone manufacturers recommend oil. It cuts better. But, keep the stone clean. Water on a Arkansas don't do well.
 
Just remember that you can't switch back and forth between oil and water. Choose one and stick with it. I would personally go with water because it isn't as messy, but some people prefer oil.
 
add a drop or two of soap to the water it aids in keeping the swarf out. I use dish washing detergent but any soap works. the best edge I ever got off my translucent black was with thinned shaving lather .
 
It's a oil stone, use oil.

Water is for waterstones.

Not using the proper lube will result in clogging and loss of stone effectiveness.
 
I'd like to know where all this oil mess comes from? I've been using oil on my stones for 30 yrs. and rarely does ONE drop dribble off the edge of the stone. I guess some guys use a spray applicator connected to a 2 hp motor. DM
 
David Martin said:
I'd like to know where all this oil mess comes from? I've been using oil on my stones for 30 yrs. and rarely does ONE drop dribble off the edge of the stone. I guess some guys use a spray applicator connected to a 2 hp motor. DM
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Seems to switch through the years, one year nobody minds and the next it's a huge dilema. Water with a surfactant is far more messy and you tend to use a lot more of it. It's why I have a station with a tub for when I use waterstones, all drains back in the tub.

Oil stones don't need much oil and it typically doesn't get everywhere, towel under the stone and some paper towel to wipe the blade is all that's really needed.
 
I haven't used oil on stones in many years, but what I remember as being "messy" from my previous sharpening is: You normally want the oil to coat the stones, so most people use a finger or two to spread it around. Now you have oil on your fingers. If you're holding the stone in hand, you can get more on your hand holding the stone. I suppose if you were very light on the oil you wouldn't have any overflow. The blade itself tends to collect the oil as you're sharpening it, so it has to be wiped onto something; usually a rag of some sort. When you're done, you need to get the surface oil off of the stone and have some way to store it without oil coating whatever you store it in or near. I usually used a rag to wipe my fingers, the blade, and the stone. I used this same rag to wrap the stone when not in use. To me this was overall quite messy as I ended up with hands than needed a thorough washing, an oily rag, and the same oily rag wrapped around an oily stone.

To me, water, while there's usually more of it, is decidedly less messy. Just wipe it up and air dry the rag. No mess, nothing left behind.

Just my experience and my opinion.

Brian.
 
I've always used a light oil (3-in-1) or similar on my ancient Black Arkansas stone. Wipe it off after.
 
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