Thread: Norton 4/8 is it ok to keep it in water?

Just got a Norton 4/8 and was wondering if it is ok to keep it submerged in water like my japanese sythetic hones recommend?

I normally dry mine and put it away after use but I know a few guys who permanently store them in water. I think the important thing is to keep that water clean.

xMackx,

IIRC, GSSixgun stores his Nortons in water with some ClorOx added to keep 'growth' down to a minimum.

As I do my honing only once a week, I tend to store mine dry.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Another trick is to put a little bit of pure silver in the water. I used to use that in my computer watercooling loops to avoid microbes and other nasties. I bought some pure silver strips and made little coils with them to fit in the tubes, but in the case of a tub of water, an old silver coin or even a little piece of scrap silver would work, I'd think.

I do keep mine in water but only the 4k. I use a single grit 4 and 8k rather than the combo stone. According to Norton there is no need to soak the 8k before use so, using the individual grit stones, I don't need to do that. FWIW, I've been using a rubbermade container with an airtight lid to keep my 4k and no problems with algae and what have you.

Just let mine sit submerged over night. Just wanted to make sure it wouldn't hurt it. Thanks guys

Yeah, it should not hurt it - mine has been soaking in water pretty much permanently for the past 6 years or so.

James.

You're good to soak em over night if you want.