Thread: oil and water

I have heard that oil stones are not recommended for str8s. Why? Are there any times oil stones would be better then water stones. The only thing I have read up to this point is that oil stones clog and need to be lapped more often.

Most oil stones (Arkansas stones and the like) are quite suitable for razors, but are rarely used because they cut MUCH slower than water stones. I've used both and prefer the edge dorectly off of my Surgical Black Arkansas to the edge off of my Norton 4/8K. However, I use the Norton...and then finish on my Coticule (better final edge than off of either of the others).

Just another data point,
Ed

One the the reasons for the poplarity of waters stones is there abundence. There are simply more suitable water stones available. I haven't heard of oilstones fine enough for finishing, besides the arkansas, and as mentioned above they cut slow.

You can also use oil on your coticules and thuringens, and water on your arkansas stones. Wasn't there TI video that showed them using kerosene (which is an oil, albeit a thin one) on their coticules? I've used Kroil (another thin oil) on my vintage thuringen many times as a final finishing step.

Originally Posted by mparker762

You can also use oil on your coticules and thuringens, and water on your arkansas stones. Wasn't there TI video that showed them using kerosene (which is an oil, albeit a thin one) on their coticules? I've used Kroil (another thin oil) on my vintage thuringen many times as a final finishing step.

would you still want make a slurry if you were using oil with these stones?