Plant-based edible oils. Olive, peanut, rapeseed oil, etc. Bear in mind that such liquids are highly viscous and can lead to clogging of the sharpening stone surface.
Motor oil, 3-in-1, WD-30, Balistol, etc. Will all work fine on a stone. They don't damage it, they may feel different (because viscosity changes), but it will be fine. Just don't use vegetable or seed oils, they go rancid in the stone ruining it.
Don't use drying oils such as linseed - they'll clog the stone, or vegetable oils such as olive, which can go rancid over time in the pores of permeable man-made stones. Also avoid thicker oils such as motor oil, which creates a sort of barrier between tool and stone, slowing the cutting action quite a lot.
Cylinder honing oil
An alternative is using tractor hydraulic oil. This is a fraction of the cost at around $35 for 5 gallons.
Never, ever use Olive Oil for seasoning. It will burn at too low temperature, so it doesn't work. A Pizza Stone doesn't need seasoning, and besides, it is just stone it will never catch fire in the oven.
Don't Use Olive Oil For High-Heat Cooking
This is why extra virgin olive oil, which has a smoke point range of 350°F to 410°F, shouldn't be used for high heat cooking, especially frying.
First you need to decide which type of oil you would like to use. We used food grade mineral oil because it's the first choice for many experienced rock polishers. Jojoba oil seems to be the second choice and also more environmentally friendly.
The purpose of an oil on an oilstone is to lubricate and carry away the waste from sharpening. WD-40 does neither of those well. 3in1 oil or mineral oil is a better bet. Most honing oils I've seen seem to be just mineral oil.
For best results whenever you hone, Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) recommends using Flex-Hone® oil.
“3 in 1” oil is very good, as are most gun oils. After using any I'd my oil whetstones, I usually spray a bit of WD40 on then wipe it with a cloth to clean excess oil and metal from the stone. Some if my stones have been in use for 30 years or more, with minimal wear.
Sharpening stones include water stones (whetstones used with water) and oil stones (whetstones used with oil). Water and oil provide a lubricant on the surface to eliminate any extraneous friction, improve sharpening power, and prevent damage to the stone itself.
Use WD-40 to Coat Your Stone: The specially formulated oil spray known as WD-40 is great for cleaning sharpening stone, as well as serve different purposes. Spray the oil on the surface of the stone and ensure you coat the entire surface with the oil.
The reason for this is that the whetstone will be far more efficient if it is lubricated with water. Moreover, the stone won't wear as easily so it will last you longer. As you sharpen the blade, a build-up of swarf or slurry will occur which is a combination of the tiny pieces of metal you are removing from the knife.
Plant-based edible oils. Olive, peanut, rapeseed oil, etc. Bear in mind that such liquids are highly viscous and can lead to clogging of the sharpening stone surface.
The other obvious advantage is the use of water rather than oil to remove the swarf (metal particles created during sharpening) from the stone. Water not only cleans up easier, but it is something that is almost always readily available.
Gun oil. Lubricating fluids for hunting and sporting weapons are of synthetic origin and are partially suitable as a honing oil. They protect the metal well from corrosion, which is important for knives with a blade made of low-quality steel.
If you don't have honing oil plain mineral oil works great. If you're sharpening with a diamond stones you can use water or oil but we strongly recommend using a product called Krud Kutter for lubricating and cleaning diamond sharpening stones. If you're using a waterstone use water.
BRM offers a very high quality oil specifically developed for the Flex-Hone Tool, which is our Flex-Hone Oil. Other acceptable fluids include: water soluble oils, mineral oils, motor oils and cutting and tapping fluids.
Commercial honing oil, light sewing machine oil or, in a pinch, heavier oil thinned with paint thinner (white spirit) or kerosine is suggested by veteran Swedish wood carver Wille Sundqvist. He further suggests "Kerosine alone works well on fine, hard stones."
Mineral oil is a little more viscus (or thicker) than water, so it has a slightly different feel while sharpening and, typically, it is preferred by most serious sharpeners. Norton sharpening oil meets pharmacopeia standards for purity and is safe for use on kitchen knives.
While plain water, windex ect. will work, Krud Kutter is the best lubricant to use for diamond sharpening stones. It is economical and a quart bottle can be purchased at your local Lowes or Home Depot for around $8 and a quart is going to last you a very, very long time.
Yeah it's good. Because 3 in 1 is intended primarily as a lubricant it's a bit thinner than buying straight mineral oil, which helps particularly for razor honing.