Question About Norton Oil Stones.

[Hirlau]

I've got my selection of Norton water stones. I brought my first razor to shave ready status.
With that said , I found a Norton oil stone from the 70's lying around the house in a box. The model is a UPB 8, dual stone, course/fine, dark gray/burnt brown.
The Norton website states that it is an economy stone, 8x2x1, aluminum oxide, they recommend the use of oil with this stone.

The questions; can I use this stone in the "water pond" system that I have set up, for the sharpening of my knives only; using water instead of oil ?
Is oil the only good option and will I benefit from the use of water?

Thanks,
John

[eleblu05]

you can use water they work best with oil tho if you want to use the stone in your pond you will have to remove all of the oil out of the stone

[jeness]

If the stone is soaked in oil, than a bit of cooking can help the stone, or a water bath with detergent in it.

[Hirlau]

I decreased all my oil stones last night, cleaned them up. I would prefer to use them on my knives only, with water in the pond (basically just an aluminum drip pan). When I start to freshen up knives, I don't want the oil/water mixture mess.

If the oils stones are not that effective with water; then I would go to 2 different systems.

According to eleblu05, I should be O.K. with the water.