Has anyone ever used a Queer Creek / Clear Creek / Ohio Blue Whetstone?
They were originally called "Queer Creek" by Pike / Norton. That trademark expired in 2006 and they changed the name to Clear Creek. They are also called Ohio Blue Whetstones.
I am curious if anyone has ever used one.
Apparently you can use them with oil or water.
Pike produced a booklet titled "Oilstones How To Select And Use Them". They state the following:
They also stateThe QUEER CREEK is a hard, medium-coarse-grained sand stone, quarried in Ohio, dark gray in color and suitable only for grinding down dull tools, or sharpening those intended for coarse work‘ It is inclined to glaze unless used with care, and Works fully as well with water as with oil.
I live in Ohio and these were mined not too far from me. If you purchase a new one today (for about $20), it will be 8"x2"x1" ( the 1" is probably 3/4"). I understand that they query the rock and send it to Mexico to be cut.The Deerlick is practically the same as the Queer Creek in appearance and sharpening qualities. The Queer Creek and Deerlick are generally sold a little lower than the No. 1 Washita.
For no reason other than idle curiosity, I decided that I want to try one of these stones. I am curious if anyone else has used these, and if they preferred using it with Oil or Water. I will try it with water because I understand that if i use Oil, it won't come back out. I can always switch to Oil after I have given it a try and give up on water.