How to Remove Clean Oil From Sharpening Stones

Sharpening stones contain pores that can quickly fill with debris particles such as dirt, sharpening dust and metal that can lessen a stone's ability to hone. People use water or honing oil to lubricate a stone's surface while sharpening to minimize any buildup. With regular use, a person must clean the stone---rubbing clean oil onto the stone to loosen the dirty oil. As any excess of oil on the stone's surface can collect dust in storage or clog the stone's pores, you must remove the bulk of the oil from your sharpening stone after cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Mask (optional)
• Honing oil
• Lint-free microfiber cloths
• Hard-bristled toothbrush
• Paper towels (optional)
• Water (optional)
• Detergent (optional)
• Kerosene (optional)
• Sandpaper (optional)

Instructions

1. Clean your sharpening stone thoroughly as soon as you begin to see glossy streaks across the stone or at least once a month with regular use. Put on a pair of gloves. If using a petroleum-based oil, put on a mask as well.

2. Rub the clean honing oil in a circular motion across the stone with your fingers or a lint-free microfiber cloth. To dislodge hard to remove debris, brush the surface with a hard-bristled toothbrush using the same circular motion.

3. Wipe the stone down with cloths or paper towels until you can no longer see any oil transferred to the cloth or towel.

4. Rinse the stone under tap water, wipe again with a cloth or paper towel to remove the water and then air-dry the stone completely and store.

Tips & Warnings

• If the surface of the stone has a lot of buildup or "glazing," scrub it with kerosene or 80 to 120 grit sandpaper (if permitted by the stone's manufacturer) and then wash the stone with soapy water and a hard-bristled toothbrush to remove the kerosene or sandpaper grit and dirty oil buildup. Rinse under tap water, apply honing oil lightly to the surface. Wipe away the excess and rinse again. Wipe and air dry before storage.

• Always wipe your sharpening stone with a lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel between each use to reduce buildup between regular cleanings.

• Always apply a thin film of oil to your sharpening stone before each use.

References

• The Knife Center
• Buck Knives: Knife Sharpening: How to Clean and Care for Your Sharpening Stone
• Hall's Arkansas Oilstones, Inc.: Honing Oil Instructions