Getting started (includes slurry!)

I want to get started honing and have found a supplier in the UK for Norton stones so have decided to go for a 4000/8000 stone + flattening stone. I was thinking of also getting a finer finishing stone. However, I already have a pasted paddle strop so I'll see if that and the 4000/8000 will do for the moment.

I've seen a lot of mention of slurry but I'm not actually quite sure what it does, how to make it and what sorts of stones its compatible with and whether its even necessary. Could somebody shed some light on this please?

Finally, with a view to getting a finishing stone at some point, I'll either get a chinese 12k stone or a yellow coticule. I guess these are fairly standard but does anyone know where I can get one in the UK?

Rupert, read this thread.

Regards,
Viktor

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rupert87

I want to get started honing and have found a supplier in the UK for Norton stones so have decided to go for a 4000/8000 stone + flattening stone. I was thinking of also getting a finer finishing stone. However, I already have a pasted paddle strop so I'll see if that and the 4000/8000 will do for the moment.

I've seen a lot of mention of slurry but I'm not actually quite sure what it does, how to make it and what sorts of stones its compatible with and whether its even necessary. Could somebody shed some light on this please?

Finally, with a view to getting a finishing stone at some point, I'll either get a chinese 12k stone or a yellow coticule. I guess these are fairly standard but does anyone know where I can get one in the UK?

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Just a thought, you might want to order the norton from the states. Even though the shipping costs will be higher, the excahnge rate is quite favourable. Look into this as I noticed a little while back that a 4/8 from theperfectedge runs about €45 or £30. Also, the general consensus is that slurry is a bit of a no-no on the norton.

A slurry isn't necessary on the Norton. Slurry is used on slow-cutting waterstones like the 12K Chinese or the Belgian hones; it speeds up the honing process by exposing more of the hone's cutting agent.

The Norton is relatively fast, so a slurry isn't needed. :)

Josh

Along this same line, how is the Norton Prep stone used?

I assumed it was for raising a slurry on the Norton.....




....evidently not.

-whatever

-Lou

And then some people do use slurry on the Norton - such as Bill Ellis (urleebird, check his restoration dvd) and Jason (Toxic) - as I saw in a short video guide. (I suspect that Jason learned this from Bill).

The slurry that they used (rotten stone, or whatnot) will wear down the hone faster than otherwise

Cheers
Ivo