Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Water or oil?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Santiago de Chile
    Posts
    46
    Thanked: 18

    Default Water or oil?

    Hi everybody
    I find an Arkansas soft stone wich, here in Chile, is quite unusual.
    My question is:
    I need use with water or some mineral oil (baby oil perhaps)?
    Is there some difference?
    Thanks for any help
    Guillermo

  2. #2
    The First Cut is the Deepest! Magpie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Upper Middle Slobovia NY
    Posts
    2,736
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    If the stone is clean and does not have an "old oil" smell to it, you may be able to use it with water.
    If it has already been oiled, you will have to go through a cleaning process to be able to try and use water.

    I have used mineral oil with decent results, but light weight honing oils, even the modern water based ones, will likely give a better result.

    baby oil has stuff in it. Not sure what. But I would avoid it.

    Most drug stores/apothecary, or even large markets will have normal mineral oil available (used for "internal lubrication")

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Magpie For This Useful Post:

    100fuegos (10-16-2010)

  4. #3
    . Bill S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Richfield, Ohio
    Posts
    2,521
    Thanked: 597

    Default

    Hopefully someone will add an experienced opinion here, but I would say that you will want to be sure that the grit level of your stone is satisfactory for razors. It may be too coarse for use beyond bevel setting.

    Regarding oil vs water, I think Magpie gave you pretty good advice.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Bill S For This Useful Post:

    100fuegos (10-16-2010)

  6. #4
    BHAD cured Sticky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,306
    Thanked: 230

    Default

    Kerosene should be widely available in Chile and works nicely as a light honing oil. It tends to irritate those with sensitive skin, though.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Sticky For This Useful Post:

    100fuegos (10-16-2010)

  8. #5
    Silky Smooth
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    798
    Thanked: 154

    Default

    If it's available in Chile, WD-40 would also work as a honing oil.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to JeffR For This Useful Post:

    100fuegos (10-16-2010)

  10. #6
    The First Cut is the Deepest! Magpie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Upper Middle Slobovia NY
    Posts
    2,736
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    its unlikely that a washita stone would be good for much more than bevel setting , or possibly the next step up. But he didnt ask that question!

    I have shaved off of a good hard surgical black arky stone. not bad, not great. Probably best if pasted strops were used after.

    Has anybody tried slurry stones on the hard Arks yet? now I'm curious!

  11. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Santiago de Chile
    Posts
    46
    Thanked: 18

    Smile Gracias

    Thanks for your help.
    The stone is new and i also think it is bit coarse and only good for initial honing.
    Here we have kerosene and wd40. Also mineral oil for medical use.
    I'll try water first - clean, odorless - and if disappointed, then change to oil. I think this is best than the opposite.
    Have a nice day.

  12. #8
    Senior Member Traskrom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Moscow, Russia
    Posts
    590
    Thanked: 124

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 100fuegos View Post
    we have kerosene
    Don't use it. You will never get rig of that smell. Just don't.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Traskrom For This Useful Post:

    100fuegos (10-19-2010)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •