AAvK wrote:

I'd suggest cleaning the stones by scrubbing with detergent and a brush.

I have done that and it work pretty good, then I read to soak an old stone in
kerosene, right on the carborundum box, doing that currently.

I'd use a light oil like sewing machine oil or camellia
oil to lube them. 3-in-1 works well too, but I have a source of sewing machine oil that's cheaper than 3-in-1.
[snip]

That is a good thought, does it work well? Is it thick enough?

Sewing machine oil is thick enough without being too thick. I suppose if I was doing things like putting edges on
beat-up machetes, I might prefer something like 30 weight motor oil, but most of what I'm doing is honing and light
edge renewal. I have used sewing machine oil for flattening the bottom of planes, however and it worked well.

--RC



Alex