oil substitutes

[Evan.S.Merritt15]

I've recently learned how to sharpen with a whet rock and use a old Norton crystolon combination stone and have ran out of oil. could gun oil work on the stone or would it damage and break down the stone?

 

[Superdave1]

Oil isn’t necessary, I mostly sharpen dry. You could use plain water, spit whatever you want, it just reduces the cutting (sharpening)speed.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've recently learned how to sharpen with a whet rock and use a old Norton crystolon combination stone and have ran out of oil. could gun oil work on the stone or would it damage and break down the stone?

It's unlikely the gun oil will hurt the stone. Some sort of lubrication is better than none, on these stones. Cutting speed isn't negatively affected either. A dry stone works fine for lighter sharpening, but will clog up much faster with swarf in heavier grinding, which will slow it down eventually, and makes it harder to clean as well, the more clogged it becomes.

An old stone that's always been used with oil will likely clog much quicker if one starts to use it dry. The old oil in the stone gets gummy over time, and will collect swarf aggressively if the stone's not kept wetted with oil in use. And an old, well-oiled stone likely won't work well with water, either. Water just beads up and rolls off, if the stone's already been used with oil. Bottom line, a stone that's been used with oil is a commitment, to keep using it with oil. They can be cleaned of most old oil by 'boiling' or other means; but it's usually not worth that amount of trouble.

Simple pharmacy-grade 'laxative' mineral oil works pretty well, and isn't expensive either. I get it for ~ $2 a 16-oz. bottle at my local Walmart. It's somewhat heavier (thicker, more viscous) than most 'honing oils', but it works.

 

[Superdave1]

If you want less mess, just use water. You get the benefit of less clogging than dry...

 

[dsutton24]

The only thing you need to worry about is that some oils, like 3 in 1 oil, have drying agents in them. Over time they get gummy. Gun oil is fine, mineral oil is also a good choice.

 

[Evan.S.Merritt15]

if i use the stone dry, would i have to clean it after each use? If I use it with oil will i have to clean it frequently?

 

[Alberta Ed]

Synthetic oils work fine on carborundum stones and don't seem to gum up.

 

[Superdave1]

If you use it dry you will have to clean it periodically. I just wash them in the sink periodically with a scrub pad and some soap. I prefer to use my smaller pocket stones dry or with water for the easy portability with out a mess.

 

[bucketstove]

Hi,

I've recently learned how to sharpen with a whet rock and use a old Norton crystolon combination stone and have ran out of oil. could gun oil work on the stone or would it damage and break down the stone?

These stones are like glass bricks, most chemical wont damage them, not even silicone lubricant (gun oil?).

Yes, you can use soapy water , even if you used oil on it before.
The worst thing that happens if you use water is you get to do maintenance(recondition) after sharpening a dozen knives instead of two dozen.
It doesn't take a lot of oil or water just enough to wet the surface.

if i use the stone dry, would i have to clean it after each use? If I use it with oil will i have to clean it frequently?

If you use any stone, it will accumulate metal dust on top.
You dont want to breathe in metal dust, even tiny amounts from sharpening, so you "wet" the surface with some water, soapy water, oil/water/soap mixture, or oil. When I say oil I always mean mineral oil (like baby oil...) cause it wont get stinky .

It dosn't take a lot of oil.

Then when you're done sharpening,
to remove the dust you've created,
simply wipe or dab the stone with a paper,
or spray it with soapy water
or scrub with toothbrush and water
or do nothing (esp if you have another stone or coffee cup on which to finish sharpening)

Here you can see a full sharpening , about 600 strokes, trying to eeek out the most performance possible from the stone alone , including maintenance/reconditioning at the end,
oiled stone in hand with dangerously exposed palm well, but 20+ years of practice Norton Economy vs 420J2 : a little sharpening and stone maintenance - CliffStamp
The writeup norton economy review
No, you dont have to clean the stone so much,
a simple wipe of the loose grit is adequate if finishing on the stone alone.

Bottom line, a stone that's been used with oil is a commitment, to keep using it with oil. They can be cleaned of most old oil by 'boiling' or other means; but it's usually not worth that amount of trouble.

That simply isn't true.
Only the surface needs to be cleaned,
and that is as simple as old toothbrush and soap and water,
or a run through the dishwashing machine (soapy hot water sprays).
If that doesn't clean the stone, scrape the surface with a hacksaw/nail....as shown in video above...to reconditon recut revive resurface your sharpening stone
Then use oil or use soapy water ... as long as it floats on top it'll work better than dry.

 

[Superdave1]

Yes, you can use soapy water , even if you used oil on it before.
The worst thing that happens if you use water is you get to do
.



That simply isn't true.
Only the surface needs to be cleaned,
and that is as simple as old toothbrush and soap and water,
or a run through the dishwashing machine (soapy hot water sprays).
If that doesn't clean the stone, scrape the surface with a hacksaw/nail....as shown in video above...to reconditon recut revive resurface your sharpening stone
Then use oil or use soapy water ... as long as it floats on top it'll work better than dry.

Worth repeating. Some good advice there, your stone will work with water if you have put oil on it before. Don’t make it too complicated....

 

[David Martin]

Evan, I have more than one of that same combination stone. I have at least 35 years experience with them. I use mineral oil mostly but 3 in 1 oil
will work. I avoid using it dry or with water. Because I think the better edge comes with oil. Not saying the other cannot be used in a pinch.
Using oil makes clean up easy, just wipe it after the sharpening session. The swarf is loose and adheres to the cloth. Good luck, DM

 

[Wowbagger]

If you want less mess, just use water. You get the benefit of less clogging than dry...

I totally agree.
For those who maintain the view that water is MORE messy . . .
. . . just sharpen in the kitchen . . .
Oh wait . . . sorry that slipped out.
What I ment to say was one can use Kerosine. I have heard oil stone users (sounds a little like drug user doesn't it) anyway I have heard oil stone people say it is a good way to go.
What do I know; I use water on my Hard Ark.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can use WD 40.