[Lynne]

I have bought a cigar shaped oilstone to sharpen my scythe and other stuff. Trouble is, I'm not sure how to use it.  :oops: I've had a look on the internet, but no luck.

I think I have to put oil on the stone (3 in 1?) and then move the blade of whatever I want to sharpen over it in one direction. Is that right? :?

[muntjac]

stand with the scythe point facing away from you with the blade foot in your left hand /., take the cigar stone in your right . now using a sweeping motion run the stone over the blade in one stroke  only do this one side ,do about 6 strokes applying a small amount of pressure so that you make the blade grate . now turn the blade back side to you and stroke the stone down it twice to remove any burrs.... no oil  at all except when you have finished using it .  oil it with a rag / please go and buy some armoured gloves from a tool suppliers .this tool will take off your fingers no problem and can actually result in death if mishandled

[DD.]

3 in one will do, but as for the sharpening action (I use the same oilstone), when I sharpen my sickle I hold the sickle firmly in my left hand and run the oilstone up & down the blade with my right.

You get faster with practice and so it doesn't hurt as much when you lose a finger.

[Lynne]

Many thanks fellas. I'll count my fingers when I've finished.

[muntjac]

putting oil on the stone will make it slip on the metal .   oil after with a rag