Thread: Q regarding slurry stones

I got 2 slurry stones in the mail today. a blue and while Belgian, and a Norton prep stone. Up til now, I've been using my 8k to create a slurry, using the entire hone. What is the difference between the 2 sides of the belgian? When should I use the different grits made from these stones?

Right now, I'm figuring on using the white side against the 8k, and the blue on the 4k. I also have a 12k from Woodcraft (Chinese). I have not been using a slurry on that at all.

Goog

Do you mean you got a combo begian blue and yellow coticule? I wouldn't use another type of stone to create slurry because if you mix different grits the result may not be what you expect. You should use a slurry stone which is usually the same type of stone as the hone. Most slurry stones if not the same type of stone are softer and are mated to the hone. Japanese Nagura stones for instance are almost like chalk.

If your "combo" is not a combo it's just a slate backing not designed to be used. If it is a true combo the blue is a very slow cutter without slurry and is usually considered to be about 6K while the coticule is about 8K but works more like a 10K or higher. Depending on the grade of your stone those grits can be different. The yellow is usually used as a finisher but guys do use them with slurry as a more basic type stone.

Okay, looks like a yellow stone with a slate backing. If you want to double check me on that, I got it here:

Razor Hones

About 2/3 down the page.

Given what you said, should I then use the Norton stone only, and on the 4k stone (both are white)?

Goog

Neither. You use a Coticule slurry stone on a Coticule only...It's not multi purpose.

The slurry stone has to be the same as the host hone.

On the Norton, you can use a Norton prep stone, not that it does any good.
On a Coticule, use a Coticule (yellow stone)
On a Belgian Blue Whetstone, you use a belgian blue slurry stone.

As previously stated, if you mix, you pollute your results. Did you ask the vendor?

hmmm....I'm not disputing what zib is saying, however that may not be a hard and fast rule. I was watching Jockeys' video of Ken Rup honing at the NC shindig and he was using a belgian blue with a Norton 4k:

YouTube - jockeys41's Channel

Ken's done a couple of blades for me and I trust his work.

Goog

Let me rephrase, Lot's of guys try lot's of different things. Some aren't recommended. Coticules are Natural and non porous. Norton is synthetic, and porous. You'd probably clog it with Coti slurry. They're (Coticule) almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds being 10, and Ganet's being about 7.0. give or take

See Nelson aka Thebigspendur post above.

Actually, I have mixed BBW and Coti slurries before, just to see. The results weren't that dramatic, not worth posting. The only stone I feel is worth building a slurry on, is the Coticule, or the C12k. Other than that, I'd use a lower grit stone. I'm not really a big slurry person.

Personally I would not put my slurry stone to a Norton hone, but do what ya like. They're yours after all.

Have fun

I'm going to confuse you and I'm sorry. In theory you should only use a slurry stone that matches the hone, true, BUT you don't need to do it that way. Just be careful because you can contaminate the hones.

Ken from Ruprazor is seen using a BBW slurry stone on a synthetic norton 4/8k in his honing videos (see the video forum?). I actually have done this 6 times with no ill effects, actually the edges are awesome. I have asked ken about it and he likes it too. He has a good reputation and hones and restores as a business.

also Bart, a member here and belgian coticule master (see his site coticule.be) has experimented with "hybrid" slurries where you use bbw slurries on yellow coticules, etc. The result I got from this when he advised me to try it were nice also.

I believe any concerns about mixing or contamination to be unfounded. Bigspender is correct : it may not be what you expect but what are the risks?

Coti on the chinastone may be a good thing.

As well a rubber on the 8k when starting is kinda nice. I almost always leave the slurry from lapping to start each hone, since i do not do it in the sink under running water.

I'm neutral on this. I've never used a slurry on any synthetic stone myself. Never felt the need but if it works well .... what the hey