I'll add more detail to that (I used to sharpen microtome blades as part of my job). Don't just wet the stone: if you can, place it so the tap is running a small stream of water over it. The water acts as a lubricant, and also carries away the tiny particles of metal scraped from the blade as you sharpen it. If you can't arrange the constant stream, pour more water over the stone frequently and rinse it off thoroughly (no soap!) when you finish.
I have a largish water stone that is heavy enough to balance nicely lengthwise on the flat parbreastion between our sink bowls, under the tap. You should never use a lot of pressure on the blade (if it's notched, start with a coarser stone and make more pbuttes) because overheating changes the temper of the metal. Pressure along the edge of the blade on the stone should be equal at all times-points, so the balancing act is a Good Thing: get something wrong and the stone wobbles.
Dried beans and chickpeas 186As the LD is where I spent my formative years, I take exception to people ranting about walking there. There are some people, like Mike, who go there because they love it. OTOH there are...
**NEVER** put oil on a water stone. In fact, don't bother with oil stones: the drying oil goes sticky, catches and traps those bits of metal and possibly unpleasantly hard protruding bits of dust and grort in the pores of the stone, clogging it and possibly damaging the finish of the blade. Just use water and oil the blade afterward if it needs it.
I even used to strop my blades occasionally, but it's a good way to take the edge off if you're not very careful.
regards sarah
-- Think of it as evolution in action.
