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I’ve been cruising on some of the old knife forum threads. One recommendation is to cut ATF one-to-one with kerosene, which reminds me of mineral oil one-to-one with kerosene. One thing they seem to come out strongly against is using vegetable oil, as it becomes rancid and sticky. With some of the finer, polished Arkansas stones, I've noticed that they too become sticky with Dan's honing oil, necessitating a rubbing down with kerosene from time to time. So I wonder what the difference is in the end, beyond viscosity. An old account for sharpening microtome razors recommends using olive oil one-to-one with kerosene.
I’ve recently tried honing with a lighter olive oil, used straight, and didn't really meet with much success. For me, swarf generation is the key, and with the vegetable oils in general, it doesn't seem to be there as much as with the petroleum derivatives. One exception may be jojoba oil, but again, this would be best cut with something like kerosene, defeating the purpose of the “healthy” use of a vegetable oil. So the question remains what to cut the vegetable oil with that would remain good and good for you.
From Melville's Moby-Dick (chapter 32, "Cetology"): "A well-fed, plump Huzza Porpoise will yield you one good gallon of good oil. But the fine and delicate fluid extracted from his jaws is exceedingly valuable. It is in request among jewellers and watchmakers. Sailors put it on their hones."
I’ve recently tried honing with a lighter olive oil, used straight, and didn't really meet with much success. For me, swarf generation is the key, and with the vegetable oils in general, it doesn't seem to be there as much as with the petroleum derivatives. One exception may be jojoba oil, but again, this would be best cut with something like kerosene, defeating the purpose of the “healthy” use of a vegetable oil. So the question remains what to cut the vegetable oil with that would remain good and good for you.
From Melville's Moby-Dick (chapter 32, "Cetology"): "A well-fed, plump Huzza Porpoise will yield you one good gallon of good oil. But the fine and delicate fluid extracted from his jaws is exceedingly valuable. It is in request among jewellers and watchmakers. Sailors put it on their hones."
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