honing oil question

[OconeeDan]

Well, I usually use gun oil on my stones.  Am about out.  I saw at the store some honing solution, made by Smiths.  I bought it and got home.  then discovered it is NOT oil but a soapy-looking solution that is non-petroleum based.
I didn't know they made anything like that, the bottle says "stone cleansing agents, rust/corrosion inhibitor".
Question is....
Is my hard arkansas stone "seasoned" with oil such that I don't want to use this stuff?  Maybe I should just buy regular oil instead?  Or is this stuff better than oil?
Thanks in advance.  Dan

[Lin Rhea]

Dan,
      Sometimes you will need to clean the build up out of the stone. I am thinking this solution is what you have. It just floats away the steel particles, which will hinder the proper operation of the stone. After you soap it up and clean it, let it dry and oil as before. It should work a little better.
   I use Balistol oil.             Lin

[OconeeDan]

Ah, you use ballistol for more than just wiping your blades down!
Thanks, I'll try cleaning it with this stuff and then....use ballistol.
Dan

[Leftieshot]

Where do you get ballistol oil?

[OconeeDan]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=164428&t=11082005

[blackfeather44]

Don't use gun oil on your stones, because some of them, including 3-in-0ne oil, contain parafin, which will gum up the pores in the stone.  I get honing oil from A.G. Russell, out of Arkansas.  The Hiram A Smith oil is very good, too.  I clean mine, including diamond hones, with dishwasher detergent liquid, because it contains a grease removing agent.