Depends on the person...If you are a str8 razor rocket gynecoligist then you can try one of a hundred types of pastes and oils....If you are old school put neatsfoot oil on it. Keep a newspaper to fine strop it..And a seamless bottle for honing, I like the large soy sauce ones from the far east..they typically are pretty smooth and have long necks to hold onto...Use the bottle instead of a glass hone...Learned that on from my Grampa...