Thread: Identify Hone

I have had this hone for many years. it is for sharpening knives and the grey side is very coarse, but I have wondered what the grit is on the brown side. It is really smooth like a razor stone and harder than anything I have ever seen. The markings on the side of the stone say Norton India combination oil stone 186.

If it's what I think your talking about, One side is fine, One side is coarse. Check this link: Norton Combination India Stone

You can "google" it and you'll get a bunch of hits....

Believe that I have a similar one. Haven't been successful using it. Appreciate input too!

They look like the Norton "coarse" and "fine" stones. No real grit assigned to them. Great for knives, wouldn't be my first choice for razors.

The rust colored fine side is an india stone, and the gray is carbo...I believe...

Zib is right.
If it is possible that you mis-read the letters as "186" in stead of "IB6", then you have a Norton Crystolon/India Combination, medium grit silicon carbide (Crystolon) and fine aluminum oxide (India) six inch stone,
Crystolon side is dark gray in color, India side is orange/brownish, maybe.
This info is from the Norton Company.
I have several IB8's, two inches longer, 8 inches. Great for knives & etc. , but I would never lay my razor on it. Both sides are way too rough.
Just my 2 cents.

i was surprised by this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...-learning.html where he mentions a barber using and india stone.

I have used the fine india prior to the 1k Norton. I think its about on par "grit" with the 1k, but it cuts faster. Its great for cleaning up a dinged blade. just my 2 cents

Thanks for all the replies, I tried it on a razor today and it seems in the neighborhood of a 1 K or finer. I think it will be good for a bevel setter. Sure would like to know the actual grit though.

Hi Mackie. I know there is a really extensive chart somewhere on here that another member put together, but this is the only one I could find quickly. It will give you a rough idea, but the more complete chart listed norton stones by model number. One day I will learn the search functions!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._Info_DATA.pdf