Thread: La Luna stone?

Actually the Smith's honing solution is mostly water. Over 80% IIRC. It also contains a small percentage of triethanolamine - an emulsifier (emulsifiers help make some oils more soluble in water) and some form of lubricant. (Not mineral oil - they make a point of it being a non-petroleum lubricant right on the label). IIRC Ballistol on the other hand is composed partly of mineral oil.

Originally Posted by eKretz

Actually the Smith's honing solution is mostly water. Over 80% IIRC. It also contains a small percentage of triethanolamine - an emulsifier (emulsifiers help make some oils more soluble in water) and some form of lubricant. (Not mineral oil - they make a point of it being a non-petroleum lubricant right on the label). IIRC Ballistol on the other hand is composed partly of mineral oil.

I agree that it mostly contains water, and isn't petroleum based, there is the faint smell of some volatile organic compound, it reminds me of something. Triethanolamine is a strong base though, and strong bases tend to rust steel like acids. Containing an emulsifier is a good idea.
By the way, I just tasted it, it has no taste it does not remind oil (I guess you can't use it to fry stuff as an alternative ) and does not appear to be a base either. I'll try the paper pH meter thingies to check, but it must be neutral since it protects from corrosion and all that.

pH is 8 IIRC. It's a very small amount of TEA, something like 2%.