Thread: Using Distilled water

I have been asking myself, why distilled water for honing? Is this necessary or can you get away with using tap? Is distilled because of the lack of foreign minerals?

I use regular tap water. The slurry coming off the stone is composed of microscopic minerals any way.

I doubt the minerals in the slurry are soluble in the water. It's probably more like a suspension. Probably the contact time isn't enough to allow it to really get into the water unless your tap has some really strange qualities like strong acid or base. (Live in Flint?)

I don't see any advantages to use distilled water for honing.

How long should I soak my Naniwa SS before using?

Originally Posted by P8TRIOT

How long should I soak my Naniwa SS before using?

You do not soak Naniwa SS hones it may damage them. I just spritz some water on them and hone.

Bob

Originally Posted by P8TRIOT

I have been asking myself, why distilled water for honing? Is this necessary or can you get away with using tap? Is distilled because of the lack of foreign minerals?

It really depends on whether or not you occasionally find chunks in your water. If it is an issue, then distilled water will eliminate it. If not, then don't bother.

Because I do find occasional particles in my water, I do use distilled water.

I hone with Well Water with a high Iron content never seen a reason to use Distilled

EXCEPT

When I keep say Nortons or Kings soaking 24/7 in a well

I wouldn't keep a King 8000 in water 24/7. At one point I had some spontaneous oxidation occurring on a razor while honing with a coticule. Turned out it was contaminants in the tap water (the city had been doing some street work in the days prior to this). Most curious, although it only happened one time.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I wouldn't keep a King 8000 in water 24/7. At one point I had some spontaneous oxidation occurring on a razor while honing with a coticule. Turned out it was contaminants in the tap water (the city had been doing some street work in the days prior to this). Most curious, although it only happened one time.

Probably rust from the iron pipes. If they used a hydrant that had not been turned on in awhile or did a water line repair then they didn't flush it very well if at all. Dry stack hydrants are notorious rust collectors but any vertical pipe coming up from the main will hold rust until such time as it drains back for what ever reason.

Oh and my King floated for a long time :<0) Was safer from chips in there I'll tell you that.

If you get chunks in you water, installing an in line filter is the fix and they are inexpensive.