Norton Combination Waterstones

We’ve been ardent proponents of Japanese waterstones for many years. So, when Norton came out with their waterstones, we wanted to give them a go. We’ve found the Norton stones work just as remarkably as their Japanese counterparts, but with some differences. The Norton stones wear a little tougher in general, and thus require less frequent flattening.

Combination stones are two grits in one – saving you money and space in your shop. The whole stone is 8″ x 3″ x 1″, which is the same thickness as the standard Norton Waterstones , but you only get half the thickness of each grit.

220 grit cuts more aggressively and is less likely to clog than other coarse stones. It’s perfect for flattening the backs of new tools and removing large bevel nicks.

1000 grit is the one you’ll go to when you need to resharpen a tool that’s in pretty good shape. It’s coarse enough to reform an edge without leaving deep scratches that you’ll have to remove later. Once you’re done with the 1000 grit stone, a few strokes on a finer stone will have you back to work.

4000 grit is typically used to polish out the scratches left by the 1000 grit stone or as the stone used before final honing on the 8000 grit stone. Many woodworkers prefer to stop at the 4000 grit stone on tools that don’t warrant the extra attention the 8000 grit stone provides.

8000 grit is just wonderful, and is slowly becoming one of our favorite polishing stones. It will quickly put a mirror shine on the toughest tool steels, including the new cryogenically treated A2’s.

Specifications

• Dimensions – 8″ x 3″ x 1″ (each grit is 1/2″ thick)
• Each stone includes non-skid plastic case for use and storage

Maintenance

You care for and maintain Norton waterstones in all the ways you’re familiar with (see our handout, Waterstone Sharpening ). You can use the Norton Flattening Stone or any other method you like for truing all the stones. A nagura stone can be used to raise the slurry on the 4000 and 8000 grit stones. This process deglazes the two fine stones, making them cut faster and keeps them flat longer.