“good stones, junk the holder”

“The stones themselves are great. They're a tad small for sharpening plane blades or chisels with a jig if you use the supplied holder. You'll run out of oil before you're done with the first sharpening task. Don't use mineral oil from the pharmacy; it's too thick. Use baby oil. I used mineral oil, and the stones have begun to cake. Baby oil is helping to clear the gunk, but it will take time. The supplied holder *seems* great, but as you rotate the stones to use a different side, the oil and grit is held against the stone. The grit gets pressed into the wood. When you rotate the stone again, grit is tranferred between sides. The next time you use a fine stone with coarse grit embedded in it you'll have a very difficult time getting a keen edge. Build some sort of vice or stand to hold your stones.”