Sharpening Stone - water as lubricant

T

T Abell

Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
73
As I understand it, certain types of sharpening stones can use water as a lubricant and others need actual honing oil. Is this correct?

If so, what kinds of stones need the oil and what kinds need water?

I'm asking because I was thinking of getting a small stone for a bug-out-bag/camping bag/whatever. But I would prefer one that can use water so I don't necessarily have to have oil with me as well.

Thanks.
 
Get a Norton India C/F stone for your bag will work fine with H2O.
The oldtime knife sharpeners that came around with the horse drawn wagon when I was a kid had a water drip on their big round wheel & it worked fine.
 
Extremely hard bond stones benefit from oil, since they're reluctant to shed grit. It's also good for folks that like to use a very light touch, since (again) it reduces the tendency of the stone to shed worn grit. Oil's higher lubricity reduces wear on the abrasives and keeps them cutting longer. Water is better than dry, though, and is much more convenient. Magnesia-bonded water stones will be ruined if used with oil. But vitrified or sintered stones can be used with either water or oil, according to preference. Resin bonds are often best used dry.
 
T Abell said:
I'm asking because I was thinking of getting a small stone for a bug-out-bag/camping bag/whatever. But I would prefer one that can use water so I don't necessarily have to have oil with me as well.
Click to expand...

I can't believe I'm saying this (because I don't care for diamond stones) . . . you could get a combo diamond stone and use it dry (or with water). They tend to be pretty thin, even the combos, and easy to pack and carry. Pretty much zero chance of breaking it (unless you are halo jumping).

WARNING : a stone soaked with water could freeze and crack if you tend to go when / where it freezes at night.
 
Wowbagger said:
WARNING : a stone soaked with water could freeze and crack if you tend to go when / where it freezes at night.
Click to expand...

I see people say this a lot, but have yet to hear from someone actually experiencing it. I left an already-cracked Arctic Fox puck (it was a defect that partially pulled itself apart during firing, so there was a thin crack around its equator at the junction of the two grits) outside all winter last year and it's still held together fine. I'm tempted to take a few stones and experiment with trying to get them to crack in freezing weather this coming season. I actually heard from some folks last winter who accidentally left their soaked stones outside overnight that they thawed out fine without any damage. Will be interesting to see if I can induce it at all.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I see people say this a lot, but have yet to hear from someone actually experiencing it. I left an already-cracked Arctic Fox puck (it was a defect that partially pulled itself apart during firing, so there was a thin crack around its equator at the junction of the two grits) outside all winter last year and it's still held together fine. I'm tempted to take a few stones and experiment with trying to get them to crack in freezing weather this coming season. I actually heard from some folks last winter who accidentally left their soaked stones outside overnight that they thawed out fine without any damage. Will be interesting to see if I can induce it at all.
Click to expand...

Fascinating !
I look forward to hearing more.

Heck I have had stones (Norton water stones and King 1200 water stone), with sharp edges from flattening, chip along the edges from drying indoors at very moderate temps.
I bevel the sharp edges on my diamond plate to stop this from happening.
 
I'm pretty sure that's from the specific binder used in those stones.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Diamond hones don't require any lubrication. DMT's Diafold hones are great for backpacking/traveling.
Click to expand...
Yes for the most part I use mine dry unless I am flattening a stone, then I use lots of water.
Some of the highly knowledgable people here have found softer stainless steel tends to cling to the diamonds and reduce sharpening effectiveness.
The manufactures of the stones say use dry or with what ever you like.
Some here fiind that for best results and least residue on the diamonds that lube is desirable.
Probably doesn't matter much for the occasional field use; just for year in and year out at home work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top