Soap on whetstones?

[JesusisLord]

I am intrigued by the practice of applying soap to whetstones, as I have noticed some YouTubers employing this technique while sharpening. I am curious to know whether this approach is considered advantageous or disadvantageous, and if there are any discernible distinctions between using soap and abstaining from it during the sharpening process. Could you kindly provide me with some insights on this matter?

 

[ReiHamono]

It acts as a surfactant, reduces surface tension

I’ve never heard of this use before, but I’m very interested

 

[jedy617]

I have used it for many years on guided systems for pocket knives. What this does, is traps the metal particles/provides some lubrication in order to not scratch your blade finish.

 

[natto]

On razor forums is some chat about using lather. Here it might improve single bevel edges.

 

[M1k3]

I use it on my Venev stones. But they're very hydrophobic.

 

[cotedupy]

I am intrigued by the practice of applying soap to whetstones, as I have noticed some YouTubers employing this technique while sharpening. I am curious to know whether this approach is considered advantageous or disadvantageous, and if there are any discernible distinctions between using soap and abstaining from it during the sharpening process. Could you kindly provide me with some insights on this matter?

Mostly this is done on stones that people traditionally use oil on. Oil has lower surface tension than water and it helps keep the stones from clogging, if you don't want to use oil then adding soap to water can have the same effect. You can use glycerine too.

(That's the basic theory, but there are also other reasons for using oil on some stones).

 

[JPO]

I have done some testing using Optimum No Rinse (ONR).
This is safe to use on both synthetic stones and natural stones.
This is a polymer based so-called rinsless wash solution.
For knife honing I use it on my Venev diamond plates.
For razor honing I add a drop into my jnat, coticule or slate slurry.
This adds more lubrication then soap. Feel free to read up on the technology behind the stuff

 

[brimmergj]

I use Dawn dish soap, the blue flavor, when I'm using my SG120 for thinning/repair work. Definitely keeps the stone from clogging. I have not tried it with other stones

 

[pavhav]

I've used dish soap on a few stones, usually higher grit ones that don't slurry much, or oil stones that I haven't committed to using oil with like new Indias, Washitas or Cretans. As others as have said: it makes it feel slicker/smoother and also seems to let you work longer before needing more water.

 

[Ben.G.]

Shapton says that you should not use detergents on their whetstones. They say that it can cause changes in the quality of the stones.
Shapton FAQ

 

[Desert Rat]

I use soap pretty regular, it allows me to switch between oil and soap and water with out degreaseing the stone. As well as mimic the viscosity of oil to suit what ever it is I'm doing.

 

[Ruso]

I sometimes use soapy water on oil stones and diamond plates/stones. To be honest I did not notice major differences. I never used soapy water on a regular synth porous stone (the type we mostly discuss here). I heard its not recommended and can ruin this type of stones.