Introduction to Oil Sharpening Stones
A sharpening stone is a tool used to sharpen a variety of blades, including knives, scissors, chisels and other cutting tools. Using a sharpening stone can extend the life of a blade by ensuring that it remains sharp while also providing improved performance with each use. Sharpening stones are common tools in every professional kitchen as well as any home cook’s arsenal.
Sharpening stones date back hundreds of years and were originally made of natural substances like quartz or sandstone. As technology progressed, man-made abrasive materials were developed for these stones like aluminum oxide, diamond, and carborundum. Today oilstones remain the most popular type of sharpening stone because they have superior results over sandstone oilstones due to their higher grade abrasives and their ability to achieve an even finish.
An oilstone is composed of two parts: a harder base material which contains abrasive grain (grit) particles often referred to as “abrasives”, and an oil or water-based liquid lubricant (“carrier”). The combination of the substance from each part produces a slurry which you can use to sharpen blades using a honing action process on the surface of the stone. A honing action rubs the blade against the stone while moving it evenly in circles back and forth along its length. The finer the grit particle size contained within the oilstone substance, the smoother the cut created when honing occurs on its surface.
Types of Oil Sharpening Stones
Oil sharpening stones are a type of sharpening stone used exclusively in professional knife manufacturing settings, or they can be used at home to keep a kitchen knife in good shape. They come in a range of materials and granulations, so there is something for everyone’s needs. The most common types of oil sharpening stones include aluminum oxide stones, Arkansas stones, silicon carbide stones, synthetic diamond stones, ceramic stones, and Norton India oilstones. Each stone has its own different grits that allow you to sharpen different types of knives and cut through different phases of material. Aluminum oxide stones have coarse and medium grades for quickly removing large amounts of metal during the cutting phase. Arkansas Stones provide a fine level of abrasive action with fine to extra-fine grades for more precise results on blades requiring a sharper edge. Silicon Carbide Stones are available from ultra-fine to coarse varieties to suit different levels of honing or maintenance while Synthetic diamond stones are used for extremely hard materials such as ceramic and stainless steel blades, using polycrystalline diamonds in a range from nano (extra fine to 600 mesh). Ceramic Stones are also available with extra-fine to medium/coarse grains which produce great edges without having to use metal powder lubricants like other models do. Lastly Norton India Oilstones are popular because they require only very light lubrication or none at all and offer extremely smooth polishing action on hard surfaces; they come with very fine grades up to 60 microns (600 mesh).
Using Oil Sharpening Stones
Using an oil sharpening stone is an ideal method to sharpen your blades and tools. Here are the steps needed to use an oil sharpening stone:
Materials required:
Oil sharpening stone, mineral oil, a clean and lint-free cloth.
Tools required: Honing guide (optional)
1. Secure the blade into a honing guide (optional) by tightening the screws. The guide helps maintain the correct angle throughout your sharpening process. If you decide to hand sharpen without the guidance of the honing guide, be sure to use consistent angles on each side of edge that you create when working against the stone.
2. Soak the stone in mineral oil for 10 – 20 minutes before starting your sharpening routine. The oil prevents metal particles from sticking in the pores preventing further clogging or damage during sharpening. Once complete, dry your material off with a dry and clean cloth ensuring there are not pieces of metal stuck on it.
3. Begin to work on each side of your blade at even angles against both sides of the stone making sure you keep steady strokes as well as light pressure for careful precision until you achieve a smooth edge on every side with perfect lines emanating from each side going towards the tip along with a proper burr created where both sides meet for maximum cutting capacity and accuracy with minimal force added when in use.
4. Strop your newly created edge against leather strop brushing against both sides equally towards alternate directions following the same motion we used when honing before arriving at the final desired product!
Oil Sharpening Stone Maintenance
Cleaning: For most oil sharpening stones, cleaning should be done regularly with a solvent. This could mean using mineral or kerosene oil-based solvents and rubbing the stone with a cloth to dissolve any particles stuck on its surface. This should be done after every use or else the stone may become too clogged to effectively sharpen.
Lubricating: Oil is necessary for lubrication of an oil sharpening stone so that it will not wear down too quickly due to friction. Mineral oil or a special cutting fluid which can be purchased at hardware stores is usually used and should always be fresh so that it does not become contaminated. The amount used depends on the stone’s specific instructions, however, typically one or two drops are enough for small size stones, while larger ones may need more.
Storing: The storage location of an oil sharpening stone is critical in order to properly maintain it over time. Always store the sharpening stone in a dry, temperate environment and make sure that it is completely covered when stored so that no water, humidity or dirt gets into its pores. Additionally, never leave the sharpening stone in extreme temperatures as this could damage both its integrity and cutting power.
Conclusion
An oil sharpening stone is a great tool for easily sharpening blades and restoring dulled edges. It is relatively simple to use – mostly involving an application of the right amount of oil and pressure. Although the oil sharpening stone is effective, there are other methods available to sharpen blades, such as a wet stone or manual sharpener. Depending on the kind of blade you have and your preferences when it comes to tools, different techniques may suit you better. However, the ease of use and decent results make it hard to beat the oil sharpening stone. When buying one, look at its size and grit level (usually ranging from 220-1000 Grit). Obtaining a finer grit will give you more precision during use. Ultimately, an oil sharpening stone has much to offer in terms of results and convenience, making it one of the best for home knife-sharpening needs.
