How do I use these oil stones (and tell me about them)

[steven c newman]

I have been known to use Simple Green on the sandpaper, as well...seems to work.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Soaked the two stones in Mineral Oil. The India stone did not absorb much that I could tell, but the other, lots and lots..... and it works much better now. Thanks to all!

[Mike Baker 2]

If you want to flatten an oilstone, the best thing I have found is loose silicon grit (SIC) on plate glass. On something like an Arkansas stone, it will still take a while. They are brutally hard to lap, IME.
Crystalon/Carborundum stone you can soak,and it will help, but it will still absorb oil for a bit until you use it for a while.
I use a coarse aluminum oxide, a Norton MB8, and either a piece of slate I have that looks to be self mined, or a 1k diamond plate to finish.
I hope to be able to afford a nice Black Arkansas in the future for finish. I have an 8x2, but it is strictly for my straights.
I have used oilstones since i was a boy, and prefer them most times for tool edges.