Thread: Norton slurry transfer

I am trying to hone my first piece but no matter how I use the norton sharpening station I get 4 k slurry on the 8k meaning I have to stop and wash the stone. Is this normal?

Si

When I use my 6x2 natural I wipe off the 4K slurry (from the blue side) from the 8K side (Yellow). I don't wipe the 8K slurry off the 4K though; in fact Howard recommends using the yellow cotigura stone to start the slurry on the 4K (blue) side.

Si,

Are you building a slurry on the 4K side of the Norton? I guess that would work, but I don't think most guys do that. I certainly don't. The stone cuts so quickly that the slurry isn't essential like it is with the Belgian stones.

I use the bottom of the blue case that my stone came in, and I just don't worry too much about grit transfer. Each time I flip the stone I use a measuring cup to pour a small amount of water onto the stone, which I rub over the stone with my fingers. I basically do exactly what Lynn does in his DVD, except I use the blue tray. It holds water to keep both sides wet, then I flip and sprinkle some water on it...

Maybe the tiny bit of 4K slurry does affect the 8K side, but I'm sure most of it gets wiped off by my fingers, and I don't notice any ill effects.

Josh

You are correct Josh. Never heard of any one intentionally generating a slurry on the 4K Norton. Just make sure it's soaked, add a film of water and vavoom. When flipping, add a film of water and rinse anything that may be on the stone with your fingers and hone away.

Lynn

I'll join Josh and Lynn. I don't even bother with the additional film of water. I just flip the stone and it gave me lots of close, smooth, comfortable shaves like that.

Here, here I to just flip the stone, I might spray it with water, but that is about all.

Phil

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Si,

Are you building a slurry on the 4K side of the Norton? I guess that would work, but I don't think most guys do that. I certainly don't. The stone cuts so quickly that the slurry isn't essential like it is with the Belgian stones.

Josh

I am not intentionally building it up it just seems to happen, run over the side of the stone and into the blue box and on the 8k?

Simon

If you're getting that much slurry just by doing normal honing strokes, something might be awry with your 4K. Is the slurry very thick? How many strokes can you do before it really builds up? Does it make the water in the blue base cloudy?

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

If you're getting that much slurry just by doing normal honing strokes, something might be awry with your 4K. Is the slurry very thick? How many strokes can you do before it really builds up? Does it make the water in the blue base cloudy?

Josh

Was about ten strokes, not thick but does turn the water cloudy-grey. The edge is building fine (well to my humble efforts it is) but I am more worried about getting grit on the 8k which shows no change in water even with many more strokes?

Will have another bash tonight to see what happens?

Si.

Wash off the slurry from the 4k side and from the station prior to moving to the 8k side and that should handle it. You definitely don't want a 4k slurry on an 8k stone. The converse is not true. It's OK to have an 8k slurry on the 4k side. Same is true with the blue and yellow belgian stones. OK to use the cotigura on the blue side but I wouldn't use a blue stone to get a slurry on a coticule.