lubrication?

[earlypea]

This is a stupid one  :)

I want to sharpen my hoe urgently - got a flat block sharpening stone and on-line I read I must apply a general purpose lubricant.  Question is 'what is that'?  I've got some WD40, will that do?  Smells a bit toxic, not sure I want it near my earth.  How about corn oil, plenty of that around.  I don't fancy another trip to the DIY store.

Also I think maybe I should scrub down my spade and fork and I am also informed I should then rub them down with an oily rag - what oil?

Any other advice on sharpening a dutch hoe and an onion one most welcome.

Thanks....

[earlypea]

[Unwashed]

You really want mineral oil, like 3in1.

If your tools are stainless then there's no need to do the oily rag thing, but otherwise a spray with WD40 would be good.  I'd be surprised if you would get enough on the tool to be any kind of problem in the soil, but I'd be interested to hear what others think.

[goodlife]

If I just sharpen the tool a bit during work, I dip the sharpening stone into water which is enough lubrication. But for more thorough job I use washing up liquid on wet stone...I have used cooking oil, sowing machine oil...but "soap"is best for me...

[goodlife]

For oily rag..engine oil...even old stuff will do...If you do not have car, any repaire place is happy to give you some as they have to pay to get rid of the stuff...

[Robert_Brenchley]

I just use a dry whetstone. You're not going to shave with the thing, after all.

[lincsyokel2]

Need to know exactly what he bought. I have oilstones and whetstones to sharpen with, one needs oil on to lubricate and the other needs water. If you do it wrong way round it makes a mess of the stones, especially the whetstone.

[earlypea]

Thanks for all the responses.

Unfortunately I'm still suffering from blunt hoeing after ages trying to sharpen it up.  Do you think it's because it's cheap and nasty (a gift from ASDA's basic range!), maybe it's a mock hoe never meant to be sharp.  Should I get a better one?  I really want to hoe effortlessly like they do in the movies  :)

[Amazingrotavator(Derby)]

I'd sharpen it with a small grinder.Quicker and easier.

[lincsyokel2]

I'd sharpen it with a small grinder.Quicker and easier.

True, its only a hoe, were not exactly talking about a fine quality Wilkinson Wood Turning Chisel here. Whetstones and oilstones may be considered a bit OTT by some in this instance  ;D