Thread: Chemically/physically speaking, why does oil/glycerin make for a closer honing?

I have heard the term used in a way that refers to breaking the surface tension of the water to it doesn't bead, therefore making it "wetter"

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Surely the water would be equally wet just bigger. Whateever the water was on would be wetter though

I'm guessing but I would think some substances act as a surfactant and cut surface tension. Water will try to bead up on many hard polished stones, so I add a drop or two of Jet Dry to a 12 oz bottle,of honing water.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I wonder how wetness is guaged, ,,,,,,,,,☺.

With a Wet Gauge.

I just want to know if it is wetter under water if you are there when it rains?

Bob

Of course, more water means, more wet.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Of course, more water means, more wet.

OK, I got a few more questions for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye_fZocBAMI

Bob

I can relate to that.

Originally Posted by kelbro

I always heard that glycerin 'made water wetter'.

The only thing that I've ever heard that made water 'wetter' was soap as it breaks the surface tension.

If you want to have some fun. Put some water in a bowl preferably a white, clear or light colored one. Then sprinkle some ground black pepper on the water (some may sink/but most will float) then put ONE DROP of a liquid soap in the middle of the pepper and watch what happens.

I tried it with glycerin and it didn't do anything.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Of course, more water means, more wet.

I think that temperature has a lot to do with it. I can go walk out on the frozen lake behind my house today and not get a drop on me. If I tried that in the summer I would be soaking wet.

Thanks for the informative (and funny) posts. I didn't even think about the possibility that the 'finer' hone that comes from using glycerin or oil would actually be due to the fact that it forces the steel and stone farther apart, rather than closer together; very interesting.