Thread: soaking hones

I just bought a 3k/8k naniwa combo hone. It didn't come with any use/care instructions. Should either side of this be soaked prior to use? Are there any rules of thumb for what type of hones to soak in water prior to use?

You don't soak the Nani's - you'll separate the bonding and ruin the stone.

Just spray with water....

I know one of the Mods here who is a honemaster and he soaks his Naniwa's and I do too. Doesn't have to be for very long at all,maybe a minute and even if you don't and spray the surface with water before you hone,you will still be okay.

I've never had any issues with the bonding but I'm not trying to cross swords here. Might be an individual incident.

Gssixgun is pretty knowledgeable on Nani's you might ask him or he may meander down this way and catch this thread and chime in.

Quick search and here is a thread with the answer.

Naniwa says a quick soak won't hurt them, but spray is all you need:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ml#post1431838

Following the advice of a friend who is a trusted pro I give my Naniwa 12K a quick soak right before lapping it. I've done this for the last 4 years or so with no problems at all.

I actually don't 'soak' it, I place it on the divider between my kitchen sinks, turn the water on enough to break the surface tension along the entire surface then leave it at a trickle while I change the tape and it's never more than a couple of minutes.

I ALWAYS lap before use as I use slurry at every stage and every hone and I said I've never had a problem.

I hope this is of some help and doesn't complicate things for you.

No soak as such here either, I only do a quick dunk then spray as I go with my Nani's

Although not necessary, a quick soak less than 5 minutes I find helps stabilize some of the swelling and promotes a more even surface. Mostly superstition on my part.

I soak Chosera’s in a plastic shoe box of cold water for 15-20 min and give em a dunk and quick lap before use. Super Stones, dunk and go, flood with water when in use, same dunk and lap in use.

Never had an issue with them, if you put them under water and they bubble like Norton’s, soak till they stop bubbling.

When finished I dunk, lap, dunk, wash and stand on end, in the sink to dry.