Thread: Storing Norton 4k/8k

Hey guys,

How do you store a norton 4k/8k after you're done using it? Do you simply dry it and put it back in the box?
thanks

Depends on how you define dry, as it takes a few days for the 4K to fully dry. I usually use mine often enough that they never really dry out but I prefer to leave them exposed to air out of water when the are not being used. I have individual grit hones and tried leaving them in water all the time but they got slimy. I'd rather not leave them in the box because it would prevent them from fully drying.

i either placed mine in the dish rack overnight to let it get fairly dry then put it int he plastic case... the other method it to keep it soaking all the time... depends on how much you use it


but by all mean make sure it is real dry before closing it into the plastic case.

Well I used my hone yesterday and left it to dry out of the case. This morning it kinda looked like the corners of the 8k side were a bit different than yesterday.

If I only use my hone once every couple of weeks then how should I store it ?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Depends on how you define dry, as it takes a few days for the 4K to fully dry. I usually use mine often enough that they never really dry out but I prefer to leave them exposed to air out of water when the are not being used. I have individual grit hones and tried leaving them in water all the time but they got slimy.

try a little chlorine bleach in the water to keep the slime away

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have individual grit hones and tried leaving them in water all the time but they got slimy.

Mine got slimy too. You can leave them in water if you change the water often but that is a PITA so I just rinse mine off and put them back in the box.

Originally Posted by Dups

Well I used my hone yesterday and left it to dry out of the case. This morning it kinda looked like the corners of the 8k side were a bit different than yesterday.

If I only use my hone once every couple of weeks then how should I store it ?

how well did you clean the stone after use? the corners usually do not get used in honing while the rest of the stone may very well show the greyness of use.

they also could be showing remaining dampness... the Nortons are like wicks and the last part to dry is the bottom edge

After a bad episode with mold, I let mine sit on its edge in the open air for a few days before putting it in its case. Another time, I left the 4K/8K and the lapping stone out to dry near a couple of razors. The stones put out so much moisture, the razors developed stains/rust overnight, so be careful with that one too.

Jordan

Originally Posted by syslight

try a little chlorine bleach in the water to keep the slime away

My objection to doing that is concern of transferring some of the bleach to the razors. The hone would absorb the bleach and transfer it to the razor. Steel really really doesn't like bleach. Even stainless steel surgical instruments will rust with exposure to just a little bleach. I had a student inadvertently prove that when she thought she had a good idea. She didn't.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Depends on how you define dry, as it takes a few days for the 4K to fully dry. I usually use mine often enough that they never really dry out but I prefer to leave them exposed to air out of water when the are not being used. I have individual grit hones and tried leaving them in water all the time but they got slimy. I'd rather not leave them in the box because it would prevent them from fully drying.

Same experience here with keeping stones wet. They go green& also brown if theres any steel trapped in them but we all clean our hones ... right ???