Thread: Arkansas Stones - Oil or water?

Originally Posted by Utopian

The nice thing about Smith's is that you can vary its viscosity by adding less or more water to it right on the hone.

Yup. Exactly the same thing with Ballistol oil too. The thing I like about ballistol over Smiths is that I can buy it locally and I can get a 16oz bottle for much cheaper than Smiths and then use it all around the house. Wood knifehandles, leather, etc.

If you don't hone much on oil stones than it's not that big of a deal but I hone darn near daily on Washitas and Arkenstones and believe me the best water soluble cost effective solution is Ballistol oil.

All the other liquids work too just not for me.

Originally Posted by Steel

Yup. Exactly the same thing with Ballistol oil too. The thing I like about ballistol over Smiths is that I can buy it locally and I can get a 16oz bottle for much cheaper than Smiths and then use it all around the house. Wood knifehandles, leather, etc.

If you don't hone much on oil stones than it's not that big of a deal but I hone darn near daily on Washitas and Arkenstones and believe me the best water soluble cost effective solution is Ballistol oil.

All the other liquids work too just not for me.

Thats a new one on me,(Ballistol) Ill have to give it a try, looks like a good all around lube!

Originally Posted by CamMorris

Thats a new one on me,(Ballistol) Ill have to give it a try, looks like a good all around lube!

Yes and being one of the few water soluble oils it is very versatile in honing also.

Having tried a number of Arkansas honing solutions, I feel like I get the best edges and smoothest strokes with WD-40 on my surgical black and translucent.

Originally Posted by CamMorris

Thats a new one on me,(Ballistol) Ill have to give it a try, looks like a good all around lube!

Get the liquid and not the spray. Then dilute 50-50 with water. It turns milky white and IME is the perfect consistency giving a quick cutting surface while keeping your stone clean and giving a very fine smooth edge.