Quote Originally Posted by CamMorris View Post
Just wondering about the general consensus was for honing with Ark stones, I know they are traditionally "oil stones" but wondered what the master-honers here were using. Ive tried it with both, I feel like I get better feedback with water and wonder about oil plugging up the pores? I also finding it a pain switching back and forth with different stones during a honing session.
What do you guys use?
Thanks!
I use one of a light machine oil (sewing machine oil is an example),
Dan's honing oil or common baby lotion/oil. Dawn, Even WD-40...

https://www.smithsproducts.com/4oz-p...oning-solution

There are a lot of choices...
There are a lot of tricks...

One trick is to use Vaseline in small amounts because it lubricates
and gently clogs the stone to let it hone finer than it is. A lightly oiled finishing stone
can help prevent rust on the edge and spine.

Ark stones being natural are all different. The only thing they
have in common is they polish up a bit and burnish more than abrade
steel that is as hard as a razor. After lapping and before well the rock
is burnished they feel a lot different.

They also last ... my Smith rocks have been in my hands for almost 50 years.
One has a soft spot ... I might send it back but I abused it trying to sharpen the
early Buck stainless knives. Sharpen with silicon carbide (carborundum) or
aluminium oxide (corundum) and finish on you Ark of choice. No slurry...
I am not a believer in an Ark progression in the way modern water stones are made. My butcher
uses a Tri-Stone System (oil) with an Ark to finish after the two man made rocks.