I got some Arkansas wet stones for Christmas what do you guys use as honing oil. Please no racoon fat.

I use a bottle of gear lube. The little spout on the bottle works great for adding a small amount and it is thick enough to not just run off of the stone.

That gear lube sure does stink. I would use anything but that nasty stuff.

I use vegetable oil, so that it stays food safe.

I use water. My stones are Japanese I think. One side is 3000 and the other is 8000. I also have a “stone” for flattening them. It is amazing how easily they develop a belly.

I do not use stone anymore but Amazon sells knife blade oil for 11,99 that I been using on carbon steel blade for a year now. Also other knives. Food grade. Just a idea

I like water the best, but I don't use stones much anymore.

If they're waterstones you definitely dont want to use oil on them. My waterstones live in water when not in use . The water is more for the protection of the stones rather than the knife.

Think that is bad , open a gear case that has 'cooked' and overheated.

It will make you vomit. I almost have a couple times.

Yes , gear lube is nasty smelling.

Mineral oil is food safe and can be used on oil stones. It also makes a great food safe finish for cutting boards and wooden spoons or bowls which is what I primarily use it for. And if your stuffed up you just take a tablespoon and you’ll be regular in no time! At least that is what the label says - lol. Apparently it’s a good laxative as well .. I use it to lightly coat my meat grinder and processing equipment when not in use to help prevent rust.

I bought a metal can of Marvel Mystery Oil years and years ago. It's about the size of a can of lighter fluid. It's the best honing oil I have ever used. It's thin and doesn't cake up on the Arkansas stones, smells good and a little goes a long way.

For years I've been using half and half kerosene and ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as honing oil for my Arkansas stones. Makes a good light oil for about anything you'd want to protect or lubricate. I don't buy gun oil anymore, just use the kerosene/ATF.

Interesting fact about Arkansas whetstones they are made from Arkansas Novaculite which was used by ancient Native Americans to make stone cutting tools. Most of the time it was heat treated to make it more knappable. I have a friend around the Hot Springs Ark area who's father owns novaculite quarries and a whetstone manufacturing company. My friend works for his dad and also sells the knappable stone to modern flintknappers. He is well known in the flintknapping community for quality stone. He has also has been involved in some archeological studies because of his knowledge of Novaculite.

I use stones all the time.
A little dish soap waterd down will keep the stones clean and float away the gunk.
I use the cheap chinese diamond stones from the dollar store to dress my good whetstones.

Spit...... It's free and works.

Ha!

I used to use 3-in-one oil,,but now I use sewing machine oil that I can get by the gallon pretty cheap.I use the same oil on my guns.

Norton's honing oil is the best I've found ,meat cutter for a living until i retired this year.

I've been using kerosene since it was recommended to me back in the '80s, works fine, still can use one the stones from back then.