Reply To: Sharpening in the cold

There’s a choice. Natural stones were traditionally lubricated with a light machine oil. Any oil will do that’s not too thick.

Nowadays, people tend to use water-based solvents. You can easily make your own, housing it in an old squirty-bottle, such as a window-cleaner receptacle.

Here’s my recipe for about 1/2 pint (250 ml):
50% Methylated spirits – or equivalent (an industrial alcohol, coloured purple in the UK to dissuade people drinking the stuff). Buy it in any paint-shop.
50% Tap-water.
2 -3 drops washing-up detergent.

Great for lubricating stones, Diamond-type in particular and as a bonus, you may clean your workshop windows with it.

Good luck. Keep it simple and sensible – flush everything regularly with some water – wash your hands.