Thread: Honing using glycerin?

Hey guys,

So I have just finished a honing session, and I am a little excited. I did some searches to find out if there were any alternatives to Honing oil, as I do not like the idea of using oil whilst honing for a number of reasons.

1) It smells
2) There are consequences of I spill it.
3) If I get it on my waterstones they are screwed.

The alternative I found was in a post by glen, he talked about smiths honing solution. This is a non-petroleum based lubricant with rust prevention agents.
The problem is that it is hard to get here in the UK. After further searching I found some ideas that glycerin can be used on oilstones. Glycerin is water soluble (so it won't ruin your water stones), biodegradable (so it is green) and real cheap!
I bought some glycerin for £1.50, and some methylated spirits to make the solution a bit thinner. After honing using this I have to say I have had my best honing results ever.

I used 3 parts glycerin and one part methylated spirits (I am going to add more spirits to make it thinner next time).

What I was wondering is if anybody else had tried (or is willing to try) this lubrication method and to see if they find the same.

If you search glycerin on this forum most add it to their shaving soaps, or use it as a treatment, so it could be added in other places too.
What do y'all think?

Thanks

Carl

Use it on my cotis and CF all the time,as good as any lubericant and user friendly.

Do you dilute the Glycerin with anything? I was feeling like it was a little too viscous for my liking, I felt like I may get better results with it a little thinner.

50/50 with water,is soluble.

I will give that a try! See how that goes thanks

We, tattoo artists, used to mix glycerin with our colored pigments when we mixed ink. Gives the ink a creamy texture and helps get it in the skin. Some guys probably still use it for that. Never thought of it to hone but why not. I use Smith's Honing Oil on my arks. Got a bottle of it so many years ago I can't remember when. My oilstones are segregated from my waterstones.

sounds like a great idea...i suppose i could try it on my aloxite barbers hone right?

Hey

Yes you can, this is water soluble meaning you can clean it off with just water. Make sure you get 100% pure glycerin or you risk having something that may contaminate your stones.

Carl.

Another dilutable honing substance is dish washing detergent. I use that on the razor hones and combined with white vinegar on my knife stones.

Carl, I am pretty sure that the Smith's Honing Solution is at least a part Glycerin, but heck the stuff is actually cheaper than the Glycerin over here so I just buy it