Thread: Can oil stones be used to hone?

I appreciate I've already started a thread on honing. I now have a question having arrived at my parents and been greeted with something I thought lost.

My mum found my grandads old oil stones which are very fine grit.

Can these be used to hone or would it damage the razor?

Thanks in advance

Can you post pictures?

Originally Posted by Piet

Can you post pictures?

No, at mums and surviving on my iPhone as her pc is down.

They are great stones and are practically smooth to the touch on the finest grit. Used to sharpen all kinds and they did it well.

I recall slicing my finger tip checking the edge on a chisel.

I guess so, depending on grit it should be fine. BUT that's general speaking, a fine grit oil stone should be fine to finish a straight razor edge on, however there's oil stones and there's oil stones ...

Originally Posted by Mikael

I guess so, depending on grit it should be fine. BUT that's general speaking, a fine grit oil stone should be fine to finish a straight razor edge on, however there's oil stones and there's oil stones ...

My grandad had these from being an apprentice before WW2 and they've been used since. I would guess that they are pretty decent.

DaveTheGeordie,

In a word, yes. While respecting the opinion of the other fine fellows on this message board, if the sharpening stone feels smooth to the touch - indicating that it is fine and well broken in - it can get a razor sharp and smooth enough to be a comfortable shaver after being polished on a strop. A linen or canvas strop followed by a leather strop when used properly will make for a very good shave. A fine stone is important, but a good strop is indispensable.

Best Regards,
Jeff

Do you know what type of oil stone they are. There are a fair amount of use that doe use oil stones?

When you get the chance, post us some pictures. Odds are good that they are a mix of artificial and natural oil stones. I have used course carborundum to take out chips, and medium and fine india stones to set bevels. And I get wonderful finished edges from high quality Arkansas stones.
Every stone has a place on the blade chart, its just a question of knowing where they go. Keep in mind that if they were used for chisels, they may need an awful lot of flattening to prep them for use on straight razors!

I'll get some pictures on before I even attempt to use them guys and get a better idea.

Thanks for the replies