Thread: Does the type of slurry stone matter?

Hi everyone.
I have just purchased a Belgian Blue Wetstone and I'm not sure if it comes with a slurry stone. If I buy one from the same place that I have purchased my BBW the postage will be about five times as much as they are charging for the stone. So I was wondering, if I purchase a slurry stone from somewhere else, does it have to be the same type of stone or can it be different, like a Chinese 12k slurry stone?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.

you can use chin12 as a slurry on coticule.chine stone is harder then coticule and when you rub them together most like slurry will come off from coticule and you will be ok.
if you buy different belgium slurry stone you have no idea how different they are.

I prefer to have separate slurry stones to avoid the risk of cross contamination between the different stones/grits, another option is to use a diamond hone to raise the slurry.

I bought my BBW from Ardennes Coticule and they(Rob) included a slurry stone.

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but I have a question about slurry stones as well....

I have noticed that most people I see using a slurry stone are using a small piece of the same stone to create slurry.....some use a Diamond plate....but I don't see people using the chalk type nagura stone?

Is there a reason for this? or is it just preference?

Personally, for most stones I use a bit of sand paper to raise slurry, or a small piece of the same stone if I have it, and sometimes as a finishing step I will add Linde A powder to create a light slurry on my finest stone....

I have just never used the chalk type nagura and wondered why most people here don't either.....

I use the Norton synthetic nagura which I guess is a chalk type. It seems coarse, so I sometimes use it to boost cutting speed for initial bevel formation. I also use it to clean and texture other hones when a full lapping is not in order.

Originally Posted by Smokintbird

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but I have a question about slurry stones as well....

I have noticed that most people I see using a slurry stone are using a small piece of the same stone to create slurry.....some use a Diamond plate....but I don't see people using the chalk type nagura stone?

Is there a reason for this? or is it just preference?

Personally, for most stones I use a bit of sand paper to raise slurry, or a small piece of the same stone if I have it, and sometimes as a finishing step I will add Linde A powder to create a light slurry on my finest stone....

I have just never used the chalk type nagura and wondered why most people here don't either.....

The reason is that, as stated above, by using the same type of stone, you avoid cross contamination. If you buy yourself a $1000 Japanese hone and use a rock out of your backyard for a slurry stone, what are honing with? The two rocks both have the potential to release slurry so you will be honing with both. Sham reasonably suggested the Chinese hone as an alternative slurry stone because it is quite hard and so less prone to releasing slurry.

The chalk type nagura stones don't really add or create slurry. The chalk breaks down so quickly that I presume it has little cutting power and it is too soft to cause release of grit from the hone. I believe the main purpose for the Norton Prep Stone is to clear residue off of the hone to allow for a cleaner cuttiing surface without the residue clogging the grit. I've never used a real Japanese chalk type Nagura stone but I'm guessing they work the same way.