Thread: Swaty

As I`m new to this can some one let me know which is best to use on a Swaty hone ,oil or water
Regards Peter

water or lather

I've used mine dry when I'm only doing a 2-3 stroke touch up.

LG Roy

Just my two cents here.

Dry is the most aggressive
Water is slightly less aggressive
Lather is even less
Oil, it depends on the thickness of the oil.

Also, the water, lather, oil helps to slow down the buildup of swarf (metal filings from the razor) on the hone and keep it clean.

Hope this helps,

"Just my two cents here."

Ohhhh, thats funny...LOL

I always use lather.

a) oil is no good for a swaty
b) dry is not good for any hone of any type
c) water is eccaptable, but does not quite do the job.
d) lather is traditional, it works& it is cost efficient.

I am a firm believer that you need some lubricant and the lather works as well or better than any alternative. Stay away from oil, oil works on oil stones be carbo or arkansas stones, but these are not for razors. Dry is never good for any reason.

Conclusion is either water or lather with lather being my choice. This is for swaty or barber hones. The waterstones including the nortons will require only water and will work best with only water

I think a can of worms has just been opened!

Originally Posted by glrerun

I always use lather.

a) oil is no good for a swaty
b) dry is not good for any hone of any type
c) water is eccaptable, but does not quite do the job.
d) lather is traditional, it works& it is cost efficient.

I am a firm believer that you need some lubricant and the lather works as well or better than any alternative. Stay away from oil, oil works on oil stones be carbo or arkansas stones, but these are not for razors. Dry is never good for any reason.

Conclusion is either water or lather with lather being my choice. This is for swaty or barber hones. The waterstones including the nortons will require only water and will work best with only water

You can say that again Randy. Stand back and watch

I would just like to say thanks to every one who helped with this question,as i manadged to pick up a 1903 swaty with orig box and directions ,the stone is mint and I didn`t want to wreck it,in the directions it says to use only swaty oil ,and as I doubt that that is still available
So once again thank you ,watery lather it is
Kind regards Peter