Members DoubleC Posted October 12, 2012 Members Report Posted October 12, 2012 I finally got two whetstones to hone some of these tools I have. I was watching videos on Youtube about sharpening them, and finally came across CS Osborne's Leather Tools Sharpening. All the others showed things like knives and chisels being sharpened by putting water on the stones. But not CS, oh no, that video showed him using mineral oil. I don't HAVE any mineral oil of course Can I use water on the stone for my strap end punch and oblong punch? Quote http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleCCowgirl
Chief31794 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Most stones use honing oil (mineral oil), diamond stones use lightly soapy water, and there are some water stones I have seen but if you purchased "Whet Stones" they should be coated with mineral oil. Chief Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
Members DoubleC Posted October 12, 2012 Author Members Report Posted October 12, 2012 You know Chief? I think I knew the answer to this before I posted it:) I'm not sure it's truly a whetstone which makes it even worse. It's a sharpening stone set made of silicon carbide. Is it even a whetstone set? I just know it has a coarse and fine piece in the set. Thanks for your help because I'm not going to waste my time and the set just because I don't have mineral oil. I'll get some. Cheryl Quote http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleCCowgirl
Northmount Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 I have seen people use either oil or water on carborundum stones. Most use oil. Which ever you use, don't swap back and forth between oil and water. Waterstones are a soft stone (usually) and use only water. They need to be soaked first before being used. They also need to be flattened periodically. Carborundum can be used dry. But you will get a smoother more polished surface on your blade with oil. Sort of makes a thin grinding compound. Tom Quote
electrathon Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Oil is about the best way there is to plug up a good stone. Virtually every stone I see that someone oils is loaded/plugged up so bad that they are way finer than they are supposed to be. If you really want to use oil I would recomend transmission fluid. It has enough detergent to keep the ston from plugging. A far better recomendation is to use a detergent. I always use simple green. Works great, does not make a mess. Smells good. Quote
Members katsass Posted October 12, 2012 Members Report Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) FWIW from the grump; I only use WET (carborundum) stones for my tools. I do have an assortment of hard stones for gunsmithing that use only oil. I do have a set of Lansky's that are used dry, but come with oil for cleaning the stones. So - it kind of depends on the stone IMO. Mike P.S. For old oil impregnated stones, hot water, a good liquid dish soap, and a stiff brush, cleans them up pretty damned well. Takes a bit of work though - - and a thorough drying. Edited October 12, 2012 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Members Glendon Posted October 12, 2012 Members Report Posted October 12, 2012 I remmember using my grandfathers arkansas stones to sharpen chisels when I was a younger. Personally I consider oil stones too messy to be worth the trouble. I use the Naniwa brand Japanese waterstones. Their combination set is pretty cheap. You do have to keep them soaking in water to be usable on short notice, but I prefer that to cleaning up the oil aftter a sharpening seassion. I would absolutely love a set of Shapton ceramic waterstones, but those things are insanely expensive, and really only practical if you make a living full time off your tools. Quote
Members RuneMaster Posted October 13, 2012 Members Report Posted October 13, 2012 (My first post here ) The point of lubricating a whetstone is twofold - to carry away the metal particles taken off the blade, and to ensure to process does not generate too much heat from friction, which could de-temper the edge. Honing oil is the best, but any light oil (even sunflower oil) will do, if you want an oil-based stone, OR water, but never mix after the first use. I like Arkansas stones for fine finishing, and use water for the best cut. Quote -- Veistu hve rísta skal? Veistu hve ráða skal? Veistu hve fáa skal? Veistu hve freista skal? Veistu hve biðja skal? Veistu hve blóta skal? Veistu hve senda skal? Veistu hve sóa skal? Hávamál, Stanza 145
Members DoubleC Posted October 13, 2012 Author Members Report Posted October 13, 2012 Are my silicon carbide and carborundum the same thing? And Mike I always thought they were 'whet' (like sharpening your appetite) but of course 'wet' makes as much sense. Since I'm trying to figure out what to wet them with. Things didn't come with any instructions. Going to see if I can google carborundum and find out if mine are the same. OK that was easy. Same thing. Can use water or oil I guess from the responses here. Thanks folks, Cheryl Quote http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleCCowgirl
Tree Reaper Posted October 13, 2012 Report Posted October 13, 2012 Have a look at this link Cheryl. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpening_stone Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.