On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:59:37 -0800, Fly-by-Night CC
wrote:

Any comments oil vs. water for a first-time sharpener as well as which
grit if I go with the waterstones?

How about a diamond plate ? So long as you dry them off well
afterwards, then they're pretty trouble free.

If it has to be a stone, then it would depend on either the simplicity
of the oilstone, or the better performance of the waterstone, despite
the need to flatten it. If mess is an issue, then get him a cheap
combination waterstone (King do one) and a plastic box to store it in.
A bevel gauge would seem essential, if not a sharpening guide.

I wouldn't expect a 13 year old to sharpen very well anyway, not would
they do enough work to need it often. Tell them to post it back when
it needs it, and learn on a couple of chisels in the meantime.
--
Smert' spamionam