Definition

• Oilstone.  An abrasive stone for sharpening engraving tools, a whetstone. Arkansas oilstone was the most popular with hand engravers, however these have been replaced with ceramic stone. A whetstone requires the presence of a light oil to lubricate the sharpening, the newer ceramic stone does not. Also the oilstone tends to wear away creating channels or groves in the stone, and the point on the graver does not have a flat surface (but somewhat rounded because of the groves). This sharpening creates a burr on the edge of the point; it can easily be removed by jabbing the tool into a wood surface.
     

  excerpted with permission from

  An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

  For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

  COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

  Roger W. Burdette, Editor

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