Ask two different knife enthusiasts about using honing oil and they’ll tell you two different things. Some believe oil inhibits sharpening by never really letting the blade touch the stone — in effect, just polishing it rather than sharpening it. We’re of the other camp that suggests oil or water is a good thing. It lessens the friction you’re exerting on the blade, and that means it’s more forgiving if your hand slips. It’s also smoother and it keeps natural sharpeners clean by whisking away your excess filings.
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Diamond sharpening stones are sharpening stones coated in micro-diamonds. What’s inside the “stone” isn’t necessarily a chunk of rock. It could be metal or a composite stone manufactured mechanically. Diamond is one of the hardest substances on Earth. By coating a stone in diamond powder, it ensures you’ll be able to sharpen even the strongest blade, and the porous surface provides an escape route for filings that come off your blade. This keeps gunk from building up on the stone and hampering its effectiveness. DMT sharpening stones are some of the most popular of diamond sharpening stones.
There are several choices, but few as universally relied upon as the low-tech sharpening stone. Diamond stones, which have a very fine grit, are used on knives that only need touched up. For duller blades, approach it much like you’re using sandpaper on a block of wood: coarse-grit stones first (grits of 400 or less); then progressively finer ones (600 and above). For a serrated blade, you’re going to need a cone-shaped taper sharpener which will be made of the same material as a regular stone. For big tools: sharpening pads. Some enthusiasts swear by using oil to sharpen their blades, others go with water, or — in a pinch — saliva.
Dull blades are a fact of life for every outdoors man. Another fact: If you neglect to care for your knife, you’re going to find yourself with a voided warranty or an unexpected expense when you have to shell out for a brand new knife. Taking the time to clean and care for your blade is a must!
