“If you use oil in sharpening, it will: Number one – cost you money. Number two – make a mess. Number three – give you an inferior edge” 

John Juranitch – The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening

After reading The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening this came to a massive surprize to me. I was meticulously filling bottles of oil for the sharpening kits and dealing with the mess while I sharpened; it was a relief to be done with oil. 

After sharpening multiple knives without oil I have found I agree with Mr. Juranitch. When I do sharpness tests I find the knife cuts much more smoothly and I can shave with it.