Sharpening stone oil is basically just plain old Mineral oil. Odorless, colorless, non-toxic and cleans up easily with soap and water. It won't spoil or turn rancid like vegetable oil.

We buy it by the Gallon for use in the Meat shop, to fill the oil bath 3-way sharpening stones we use.

I've always been amazed what people will pay for "Sharpening Oil" or "Honing Oil" when all you need is Mineral oil.[ Tens-of-Thousands of Butcher's can't be wrong]

It's USDA approved, in other words you could ingest it and won't hurt you, not so sure about ATF or any of the other Petrolem distilates.

I've scolded many apprentice Meat cutters for making the same mistake I did when I was one [apprentice], for using "vegetable" oil on the stones.

It does gum up the works of a stone [especially in a 50 degree cutting room], at least one already treated with Mineral oil, I don't think vegetable&mineral oil are compatable at any temp!

Kind of like the two Ex-wives and myself! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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