Ridding an Arkansas Stone of Oil.

[StewieS]

I was unimpressed with the performance of the J.Smith Ark I recently posted.

The process of cleansing the Arkansas stone of oil; using boiling hot water and 2 dishwasher power balls.





After 1 hr, the dishwasher power balls have lost their effectiveness within the oil cleansing process. The following photo shows the oil residue that's already released from the stone.



The process needs to be repeated again to further rid the stone of oil. The contaminated water has to be emptied out, cleaned out with dishwasher detergent, and refilled with boiling hot water, ready for 2 fresh dishwasher power balls.



To slow down the loss of temperature within the water, seal the top of the container. Check again in 1 hrs time. Note any further loss of oil from the stone via the appearance of the water. Repeat a 3rd time if its deemed necessary.

[StewieS]

An update on the oil cleansing process. I noticed that some oil had been trapped on the underside of the stone during the 2nd round.
I opted for a 3rd round lasting only 30 min, this time making sure that I gently lifted the stone from side to side within its water bath to allow the loose oil to rise to the top of the water.

A few important comments to add; if the stone is not Novaculite within its structure, it may not survive without cracking after being submerged in boiling water. That being the case, it would be better to lower the temp of water. Also, make sure that the bottom of the stone be raised slightly above the bottom of the container to allow the water bath to better penetrate all sides of the stone. A couple of short brass or stainless steel rods would do the trick. Rinse the stone in fresh clean water and dry at the end of the cleansing process.

The following photos shows the stones colour change after completing the oil cleansing process.

After the 1st bath;


After the 3rd and final bath;


I will update the forum on my findings of the oil free Arkansas stone when water is used as the lubricant.

StewieS;

[Grazor]

What sort of Ark is it?

[StewieS]

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...tone-post.html

[kelbro]

After seeing it cleaned up, it looks more like one of the soft Arkansas stones that I have. That might also explain the porosity since hard arks, trannies, and blacks do not tend to soak up as much oil as the softs and washitas.

[StewieS]

There is no valid reason why Washita's and Arkansas stones should be designated as oil stones. There is only 1 natural stone that I am aware of that requires oil as the lubricant, and that's a Hindostan because of its iron ore properties.

[Martin103]

Kelbro, if your not interested in this thread go to one that pleases you, no need to disrespect all the hard work and posts that Stewie did.

[kelbro]

Kelbro, if your not interested in this thread go to one that pleases you, no need to disrespect all the hard work and posts that Stewie did.

No disrespect. The thread does interest me. For my chisels. I also agree that he did a lot of work. For a nice stone to sharpen chisels.

[Euclid440]

Once a stone is clean and had all the oil removed, oil can be used and can easily be cleaned with some Dawn dish soap and or a good degreaser like 409, or Simple Green.

It is letting the oil slowly soak in over months and years, that takes time to remove it.

I have done both and on razors, have received results so similar, I continue to use water and Smiths or Ballistol and wash them off after use.

[aaron1234]

I worry about soaking my stones in chemicals out of fear of it destroying the stone (desolving the binding and making it fall apart). As for the oil water debt...I have trouble keeping my Arkansas stones from loading up when using water. When I first started in had a oil/water stone progression and you can guess how that was a problem. I decided to use water on my Arkansas to prevent that problem and often had to lap to correct the stones getting loaded up.

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