Wet vs Oil

[Matthew.Passmore]

I currently have a few Oil stones that i use, thinking of getting some wet stones, is there any point? is there any difference?

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

I currently have a few Oil stones that i use, thinking of getting some wet stones, is there any point? is there any difference?

Hi mate,

I've worked with sharp tools in the construction business for a few years. Always had oilstones for chisels, planes and the like. Found Japanese Water Stones through Bushcraft and there is no way I'd go back to oilstones. Give it a go and I'm sure you'll agree

Phil.

 

[Shinken]

Wet for me too!

 

[sxmolloy]

Never owned an oil stone but just the ease of only needing water for my japanesse water stones was a major facture when I made the decision a couple of years back. I also carry a DC3 when out and about which has to be used dry.

ATB....Stu

 

[jojo]

Water stones for me anytime. I use them for all sorts of tools , planes, carving chisels, carving knives etc. I'll never use an oil stone again. Much cleaner to use, you can spit on them if short of water . You can still get a bit grubby with them, but nothing quite as mucky as oil & grit and I think they work better and you can get a keener edge

 

[demographic]

Never tried waterstones but after dropping an oilstone while at work (I am a carpenter) and ending up with two small oil stones I resolved to never use a breakable stone again, went for the diamond hones and never went back either.

 

[addyb]

I don't water OR oil. I hone my knives on a dry stone and it produces a far better edge than anything I've tried before. I've had a go with waterstones, even had a go with using expensive honing oil on a set of arkansas stones. John Juranitch goes into more detail about this in his book "Razors Edge Book of Sharpening" and if one tries it, I can guarantee that he will be impressed. The only downside is that the stones clog and you have to tap and clean them much more often than using oil or water.

Adam

 

[mrostov]

I've been using DMT and EZE-Lap diamond hones pretty much exclusively for years. A waterstone is nice in that you don't have to deal with the mess of the oil.

 

[Shinken]

I use diamond stones in the lower grits first and them waterstones for finishing. Works great

 

[bent-stick]

I use 3 grades of waterstones for all my tools.

I cheat and use a honing guide for chisels and planes because fettling a blade that has lost it's flat bevel is a pain. The finest stone tends to glaze and i sometimes give it a quick dressing with the second grade to get a paste and remove the glaze. I think you can get a proper thing for the job.

When I'm out I have an arkansas stone for touching up the edges. Soon I'll have a DC4

For finishing fine edges I have a peice of wood covered with leather (think of somethig like a flat file) one side is dressed with flexcut gold the other is not dressed at all. If I'm carving I give my knife a couple of strops on this every now and again to keep it keen.

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

I mite get some, I currently have 3 grades of oil stones and a DC3