An abrasive stone such as Arkansas, India or Turkey, used with a lubricant for sharpening tools to a fine edge. Fine oil is normally used. Oilstones can be obtained in grades such as fine, medium and coarse, and in different shapes and sizes. Dirty or clogged stones can be cleaned by soaking in paraffin or benzine. Oilstone dust is oilstone ground to powder and combined with oil for grinding or polishing steel.