Had some time ago the chef knife ordered from the shop and wanted to have a matching bone. The stone came after three days packed well with me and I was able to get started. Although you should be able to use the stone with oil, I tried it first with water only. With the "rough" side, there was already a palpable sharp edge with the fine side of the ground was again pull clean. With appropriate care (just wet grinding, stone then rinse well and allow to dry!) I think that I can work with the grindstone long on quality. Matthias