Thread: Water absorbtion on a Norton combo 1/4 K

I'm trying to figure out if it's normal for my Norton 1K to suck up all the water I spray on it even after I've soaked it. The 4K side is fine. I'm thinking that maybe because the 1K is more porous than the 4K it absorbs the water much faster??? I was watching a video of Lynn setting a bevel on a Naniwa 1K and the water just pooled on top. That is definitely not happening with my Norton. Any ideas on this would help.

Mine does the same thing. I think it's normal. It doesn't appear to affect honing. The 8K is even more impervious to water.

Norton's need to sit in water for about 30 minutes before use. I store my Norton stones in water. When they are saturated they will keep a wet surface. If you're getting puddles, check your stone for flatness. For the most part the water should pretty much be distributed on the surface. The 1K is rather course so it will not so wetness as well as the 4k.

Originally Posted by Kenrup

Norton's need to sit in water for about 30 minutes before use. I store my Norton stones in water. When they are saturated they will keep a wet surface.

All the time? I just read where too much soaking may ruin the bond between the two stones.

I've got single grit stones so leaving the 1 and 4k in water is what I do too. According to my Norton literature the 8k does not need to be soaked. I use a rubbermaid container with a sealable lid to inhibit algae growth. I had slime develop when I stored them in water in an open container. I have read of one member whose 4/8 combo lost the bond after prolonged soaking. If this were to happen I can assure you that Loctite Professional Epoxy will create a bond that will never go south. I know Lynn kept Norton combos soaking for many years and I don't think he ever had a problem with the stones separating.

I will assume that you use the waterstones on a regular basis. I'm projecting that I will only use them once a month, so storing them dry seems to be my best option.

Originally Posted by jerrybyers

I will assume that you use the waterstones on a regular basis. I'm projecting that I will only use them once a month, so storing them dry seems to be my best option.

Yes, I do use them fairly regularly and I would agree that if you only use them once in awhile dry would be the way to go. Of course soaking as recommended by Norton when you do use them.

Even after soaking the Norton 1K, it is one of the thirstiest stones I have seen. I keep the spray bottle close when using it. It is also pretty abrasive, so I tend to save it more for repairs than daily bevel setting.

Have fun.

Glen leaves some of his hones soaking all the time, with a little bleach I believe, to prevent slime. You'd have to ask him. You think the Norton 1k is bad, You should see the King 1k. You wet it, and you can actually see the water evaporate on it. It's like a sponge.

I keep my waterstones in water all the time, with a tiny bit of bleach. Over time, the bleach will darken the 8k side of the Norton 4k/8k, but it hasn't affected the sharpening or bond.

It's just gravity pulling water down through the stones. Some are more porous than others. In a couple million more years maybe you'll make a cool tiny Bonsai cave in there.