Do ~12k grit oilstones exist?

My 52100 steel rusts while sharpening on waterstones. I've never had this problem before with other carbon steels. Right now I finish on my Naniwa 12k dry, which works but loads up over time. I know the more porous waterstones are easily destroyed by oil, the Naniwa might be able to take it, but I'm NOT taking the risk destoying such a nice stone.

My Chinese 12k can be used as an oilstone, but the one I have now is more like an 8k stone that just cuts slow.

So are there any ultra fine oilstones?

yes arkansas translucent or charnley forest stone. will do the job.

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

yes arkansas translucent or charnley forest stone. will do the job.

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I've never heard of charnley forest stones. Are they finer than Arkansas translucent (which I do know about, but they cut slow)? So you just spray WD-40 on them and sharpen?

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Originally Posted by cotdt

I've never heard of charnley forest stones. Are they finer than Arkansas translucent (which I do know about, but they cut slow)? So you just spray WD-40 on them and sharpen?

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Your challenge will not be applying WD-40 to a Charnley Forest; it will be obtaining a Charnley Forest stone. They are quite rare. "New" translucent arkansas stones are relatively speaking widely available.

Chris L

Please don't use wd 40 on the stone. use sharpening oil they are pretty expensive stones.

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Please don't use wd 40 on the stone. use sharpening oil they are pretty expensive stones.

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+1 that is some nasty sh*t and will ruin the stone in the long run.

Actually, Ark Trans have been on sale at Sierra Trading Post.

Dan's Whetstone Sharpening Stone - 8" Translucent Arkansas Stone - Save 60%

It looks like a good price to me.

They are seconds but the blemishes aren't supposed to interfere with honing.

Even though your other razors have not rusted while honing you may still want to try distilled water which is supposed to be neutral or you could add baking soda or washing soda to the water you're using now.

worth a try while hunting down the ole oily