Thread: What are they?

Arkansas stones can be used with water I've heard but most use honing oil.

Dan's Arkansas Whetstones
Natural Whetstone Company

I have used both with Arkansas stones. I prefer water because there is less mess but I have found that oil works the best to give a fantastic edge. It is best, if using oil, to soak the stone before use, the same as water stones.

Originally Posted by guitstik

I have used both with Arkansas stones. I prefer water because there is less mess but I have found that oil works the best to give a fantastic edge. It is best, if using oil, to soak the stone before use, the same as water stones.

I would think the oil soak would work best with the soft Arkansas? The hard black or the translucent are so hard that I would think the oil soaking would almost useless. True or not? I am new to Arkansas stones.

I am so used to my Arkansas stones that I don't think of them in terms of hard or soft. I have some that are strictly oil stones, some that I use with water and some that are dry but can be used with water. Each one has a specific use and I tend not to vary to much from those uses. My oil stones are used with hardened steel like knives, drill bits, chisels and planes. The water and dry stones also get used on knives but I stay away from the harder steels like the chisels and planes. Just because that is my way with the Arky's does not mean that I couldn't hone a razor on an oil stone, in fact, I have. The Washitas are strictly used for knives and razors.

Good deal. More info to ponder. LOL.

yes but they aren't arkansas stones they're pakistani stones. And howard, the guy who quarried them, said they are water stones not oil stones.

I find dem quite expensive in not really knowing what these stones are and how these perform....70usd and 120usd....