Oil, water, soapy water or all of the above.

I am slowly building up my collection of natural hones and was wondering what lubricants are ok to use and interchangeable. I don't want to permanently force a stone to be oil only or something like that. That is why I ask. When you use soapy water is that just a drop of hand soap? Any oil suggestions or is three in one oil okay? The current hone list is; c12k, coticule, supposed Thuri, Welsh Thuri, Zulu, and actual Thuri. Perhaps, a list can be compiled for the Wiki? Also, does the lubricant affect "grit" rating, keenness, or smoothness most?

That's a loaded question! But here I go!

In my experience with wood working/knife honing and now straight razor, the purpose of the media is to lift the metal shaving and allowing the edge make contact the stone. The thing I like about water is that it's cheap, plentiful and less messy. Some stones work with both and some others water or oil only. The Zulu is one of those stones that work with both, I have one. The Turi, I would only use with water.

If you are unsure what's best and don't want to bound a rock to oil only, you could try smith honing solution(water soluble oil like substance) or about 8oz of water with one or two drops of soap on it. Both media would give close to the lifting power of the oil, but with the advantage of being able to be wash and used with water again if you desire.

Only by other people trying and your own experience, you would know what works best with that stone. For example the Zulu I have heard it works good with both oil and water. I have tried the Smith honing solution and water with great results on it, but mostly use it with water and slury. Arkansas stone are better with oil in most people opinion.

One last thing, I have never heard or tried raising slury on oil. Some stones IMO work better with a little slury, diluting to water. The Zulu and the Turi are some.

I'm also curious to what other people have to say! Double O