Part 1.
I've buggered up three oil stones using the 'on stone' honing guides are there any guides that straddle the stones so only the chisel is in contact with the stone, or will I have to make one?.
I currently use my whetstone / grinder to sharpen my chisels which gives a reasonable edge but can't hone them free hand to get that extra sharpness.
Come back Mr Underwood & Smith my woodwork teachers of yrs ago they were brilliant at freehand honing to shop finish standard.
Part 2. I've been told that water is better than oil on an oil stone, less messy and just as sharp. Or were they pulling my ding-a - ling.

Bob, July 2008

use :wet&dry : paper on sheet of thick glass . no probs. with dips or hollows, exellent results.

woody, March 2009

Hi Bob

I am new to sharpening. It all depends on what your problem is. For example is it that you cannot accurately locate the secondary bevel?

However, if you load/soak an already used oil stone once it is saturated, you will not be able to use water. Even if water was used for the first time and then only water used subsequently, it is unlikely that it would act effectively as a medium to clean off steel waste. Waterstones (Japanese/Norton) cut fast and produce polished blades. However they are very messy, require a water bath, get out of true quickly (require flattening) and are expensive.

Check out 'Success with Sharpening' by Ralph Laughton. I'm sure I have seen an American made honing guide that holds/clamps the chisel differently than say the Eclipse or Stanley models. If I locate it i will pass on.

Ian Ingle, November 2008

My previous colleague is of course correct, however a simple answer is that 'rutlands' http://www.rutlands.co.uk/

have both types of honing guide

Dave Musson, October 2008

Ooh!Can of worms.Oil stones,I use a combination system,Ezelap full plate diamond,which is then used to flatten oil stone,finishing with arkansaw,again flattening after with ezelap.The trick with oilstones is,to flatten everytime u use them,little and often.Of the 6 oilstones i use all are either flattend with diamond or against each othr.This is a pain,but I find,different stones,different edges.Trend do a sharpening jig that look's good but I've never used it.On the subject,axminster machine tools,or ruttlands are both online and have an exelent selections of jig's.You may want to give thought to switching to japanese water stones,I've a selection of these and u would not believe how easy to use.plus,lubed with water,extra plus,availiable in grits down to 60,this brick i have used to true both oil and waterstones,jawdropping/

caine, July 2008