To prevent glazing on India and Arkansas oil stones, what should be used?

Honing oil or a light oil mixed with gasoline is the appropriate choice to prevent glazing on India and Arkansas oil stones. These types of oil stones are designed to cut metal and create a fine edge on tools. When using them, a lubricant is essential to facilitate the sharpening process and prevent the stone's surface from becoming clogged with metal particles, which can cause it to glaze over.

Glazing refers to the smoothing of the stone's surface, which can diminish its ability to sharpen effectively. By using honing oil or a mixture of light oil and gasoline, the stone remains cleaner and allows for finer particles to be removed while sharpening, maintaining the stone's texture necessary for effective sharpening. This mixture provides the right amount of lubrication to keep the surface of the stone from glazing while maximizing its cutting action.

Other substances like water, pure gasoline, or alcohol are not suitable for this purpose. Water can lead to rust on metal tools and might not provide the necessary lubrication while sharpening. Pure gasoline is too volatile and could damage the stone’s surface or pose safety risks. Alcohol may evaporate too quickly to provide adequate lubrication during the sharpening process. Therefore, honing oil or a light oil and gasoline mixture serves as the most effective option.