Oil Stones

Lor · #1 07-08-2005, 02:34 PM

I inherited some oil stones after my father passed away. While he was alive I spent many a hour watching him sharpen his tools, unfortunately I never asked him what type of oil he used on his stones. Is there a special oil, are their oils that you never use?

Thanks

AlArchie · #2 07-08-2005, 02:57 PM

DON"T use any finishing oils (boiled linseed, walnut, tung, etc.) Most any petrol based, vegetable based or mineral oil will do the job, and there are those that will swear that one is better than the other. There are even some very pricey "specialty" oils, sold specifically for sharpening (smith's comes to mind). When I'm using an oil stone with oil, I tend to use either 3 in one, or a straight 20 or 30 weight motor oil. Machine cutting oil will work as well. For the most part, all the oil does is to carry off any metal that's eroded from the blade as it is sharpened. Once the sharpening is completed make sure to wash the stone either with kerosene, some other solvent or soap and water to get all the debris off the stone. You can use water just as well, and even use the stone dry, just make sure you clean it afterwards.

An added benefit from using the oil is that it tends to protect your carbon steel blades from rusting......just wipe the oil off with a rag or paper towel and there will be a light coat left to protect the blade.

Al

wade clark · #3 07-08-2005, 04:42 PM

I'd recommend light machine oil or 3-in-one, and I'd stay away from cooking (vegetable) oils as many of them turn rancid after a while, and while peanut oil won't turn, 1% of people are highly alergic to it. Petrol and mineral bases as Al recommends, are good.
I like the specialty oils too. The prices are a little higher but seem reasonable, until you see how fast a small can of it disappears! 3-in-one seems to last a lot longer.
Are the stones heavily worn? Some Folks can sharpen incredibly well on an old cupped out stone, especially if they wore it down themselves over many years of use. If you find you can't get an edge on a tool with them, I'd recommend making a nice frame to mount them in and hang it above your work bench. Then every time you see them, you can think about the hours and hours your Father spent with those stones in his hands creating an edge, doing what he loved. Maybe hang your favorite picture of him next to it!
Good luck!
Wade

Irish · #4 07-08-2005, 05:32 PM

I have always used sewing machine oil that you can get at your local fabric store. It's very light weight and comes in a nice small easy to use container that can be stored right beside the stones.

3-n-1 is also an excellent suggestion ... except ... it's such a good general oil that the bottle seems to have feet of it's own. Seems that every time I go to look for the 3-n-1 it will have walked, all by itself, to some other area of the workshop or house to be found happily sitting in a pile of tools that need to be put away after one of my beloved hubbies projects?!? Don't know how it does it???

So, if you get 3-n-1 get SEVERAL bottles in hopes that one of them does not have the wanders.

Susan

Plain_Ol_Ed · #5 07-08-2005, 09:05 PM

Over the years, I've used about everything imaginable on oil stones. All of it works, some better than others. What I have found to be best is cutting oil; the kind used for tap and die; drilling, etc. Mineral spirits work, kerosene works, heck; almost anything works. The reason the cutting oil works a bit better is that it is not designed for lubrication (reducing friction) as most of the rest of the oils are.

Canopener · #6 07-10-2005, 12:31 PM

I agree with Ed, save the lubricating oil for preventing the removal of metal. Use cutting oil, or some sort of solvent for assisting metal removal. Read this in an article a long time ago, and the light bulb went on in my head. Also remember to roll the knife over on it's back, not it's blade when sharpening.
Having said that, I can clearly remember Dad slathering up the old oilstone with 3 in 1, to put an edge on the old Barlow the night before a fishing trip.
I have both safely stored away.
Good luck,
Jim

decoycarve · #7 07-10-2005, 06:04 PM

I have always used mineral oil. You can get it at any drug store. Someone that works for a knife manufacturer told me they get it in 55 gallon drums and repakage it as knife sharpening oil.

Goody

Clifford_Parker · #8 07-12-2005, 11:08 AM

If the stones are flat and in good condition I would clean them with dishsoap and an old toothbrush, let them dry completely, and use either mineral oil or simply use them dry and clean them after use. I buy every stone I find at garage sales, auctions, etc. "just in case". LOL

If they are dished in the center you may be able to lap them on concrete or coarse sandpaper to get them flat again. both techniques take time and elbow grease but a flat stone works much better than one that is dished in the center.

Big_Al · #9 07-14-2005, 07:39 PM

Here's a tip that comes from an expert in sharpening: ( not me) soak the stone in kerosene when not in use, when you want to sharpen, wipe
it off & put 3 in one oil on stone. Big Al

dryheat · #10 07-15-2005, 01:17 AM

Kerosene works the best for me. You want to float the ground off metal away not lubricate the action of the stone. Also, you can clean them in a dishwasher so Iâ€™ve been told, never tried it myself. I have cleaned them in a sonic jewelry cleaner where I had to do one end then the other. The cleaning really made a difference in the way they cut. Oil stones in good shape are revered by many old time woodworkers and they wonâ€™t let anything else near their plane irons and chisels.