Thread: Water Quality

I'm curious as to the quality of water itself as a honing issue. Assuming that distilled water would be a scientific default, I'm wondering if folks can suggest various bottled mineral waters that they have used to improve a stone's performance. Similarly, if one's tap water is either soft or hard, desirable results as obtained there or problems followed by steps that folks have taken to move their tap water in the opposite direction with improved results.

Not sure about honing but hard water which is what I get plays havoc on my blades, staining them.

Evian is the good stuff imo.

Through watering and drying cycles you enrich the non-evaporating contents of the water. Since high grid stones don't have a high porosity, this excludes any problems. Lower grid stones have a higher capacity for water, but you have to go through thousands of watering and drying cycles to assume any effect at all. The viscosity of the fluid however drastically changes the performance, but if you stay with water only (no glycerine, soap, oil or simple green) then viscosity is not changing at all.

So: no influence at all.

I use reverse osmosis water on my stones.

We have a water softener but I am more worried about particulates in the water than the chemical makeup.

I would think after many soakings with hard water that the stone would retain minerals, as to what grit those deposits or effects on the hone, I have no clue. I am in TX for a while and the water here is nasty, mineral deposits on everything, shower heads clog, the dishwasher needed a few vinegar treatments to work right...a good question.

I know my norton 4k/8k is a thirsty one and am sure that stone has plenty of absorbed deposits by now. I imagine after a few years and a few hundred soakings it could have an effect but I don't worry about it, I will be rolling out of here soon enough.

Your rubbing against a block of minerals, esp when you use naturals. Does not concern me at all

Brontosaurus: I guess I would stay away from any water with minerals in it. I only speak from anecdotal experience with it. My Norton waterstones, when dried, demonstrated calcium stains. Fortunately they were not deep and took very little effort to get rid of. I am guessing the more you use mineral water the more minerals will accumulate into the stone and possibly create unwanted and undesired effects.

I would suggest using distilled water. As a personal preference, and out of ignorance, I will not submerge my Norton Stones in anywater other that distilled. My anecdotal experience with local tap water disturbed me and made me avoid any water that contained minerals.

Mineral water stains my Norton stones with calcium. Not convinced that added minerals are additions one wants in their stones. Just blabbing my geriatric thoughts.

I think you have a good point there.