Sharpening Stones

Oil Stones

• All oil stones, natural or synthetic, are porous in natures. The presence of oil on the surface is required to keep the pores open, thereby permitting the stone to work effectively to suspend metal and abrasive particles from the stone’s cutting surface. Oil applies to the surface is, however absorbed into the stone and tends to pass out the underside. To offset this absorption, these oil stones are pre-filled with an oil at the factory. This exclusive quality feature retards loading, saves time, and eliminated the necessity of pre-soaking the stone prior to use.

• Arkansas Stones, because of their dense construction, absorb oil at a much slower rate. Hence, these stones do not require oil pre-filling during manufacture. However, a few drops of Norton oils should be applies prior to use.

• Manmade/Synthetic Stones are manufacturer with abrasives graded to a consistent particle side, blended with selected bonding agents, molded to shape, and finished to exacting surface configurations.
• Crystolon stones, manufacturer with silicone carbide abrasives, are the best choice for quick sharpening where the speed in producing the edge is more important than the fineness of the cutting edge. Grey in color. Available in coarse, medium and fine grits.
• India Stones are quarried from the finest Ozark novaculite ( silicon quartz) deposits, precision sawn to size, and finished to exacting surface configurations. Although there are no industry established standards for classifying hardness, particle size, or color of natural stones, the standards established by Norton nearly 100 years ago are accepted by most knowledgeable sources as industry standards. However, all suppliers do not adhere to these standards, some choosing to classify and label sharpening stones at their own discretion. This has resulted in much confusion for users, who experience widely varying performance levels between similarly identified stones of different manufactures. Norton guarantees a given product will duplicate performance stone after stone. For this reason, we have trademarked the Norton Arkansas Stones as a guarantee of Norton quality and performance. When sharpening, these Arkansas stone do not remove as much metal as man-made stones; hence tools and knives last significantly longer. Due to their unique crystalline structure, Arkansas stone polish as they sharpen, imparting a keen, smooth edge/surface.
• Norton Hard Translucent Arkansas (ultra fine) stones are the finest grained and most dense natural stone available. Used to produce the keenest, most precise finish possible. They impart polished, razor-like edged. Translucent white in its purest form, hard translucent Arkansas may contain shades of red, yellow and grey. Translucent stones are named due to their ability to let light pass through.
• Norton Hard Arkansas (superfine) stones are coarser and less dense than hard Arkansas stones. Used for imparting the finest edges necessary for most cutting tools and knives. Opaque milky white in color.
• Norton Soft Arkansas (extra fine) stones are the coarsest-grained and least dense of the natural stones. Used primarily to sharpen and upgrade tool and knife edged to an even, polished surface, frequently after sharpening with synthetic stones. Opaque milky white in color.

• Sharpening Stone Systems/Stations
  Norton Abrasives manufacturer several systems that offer a selection of three stones and oil designed to provide complete sharpening service. Simply rotating the handle brings the desired stone into position for sharpening.

• 5 Stone Set Includes 1 each of Hard Arkansas HF13, HF113, HF813, HF873
• 10 Stone Set Includes Includes 1 each or Hard Arkansas HF13, HF43, HF113, HF813, HF873 & India FF14, FF44, FF114, FF214, FF724

• Thirty-five (35) stone items in a variety of abrasives, grits, shapes and sizes designed to provide a configuration suitable to satisfying every need. Housed in a durable vinyl roll that offers protection, easy portability, and full stone display, the stones are fastened by an elastic strap which permits easy removal and replacement of all items.

• Highly refines lubricating oil specifically formulated for sharpening stone use, but equally ideal for all lubricating jobs. It will not load or “gun-up” sharpening stones. Meets U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards for mineral oils purity; it may be used around food preparation operations. XB1 is a dispenser-type can for easy use.

Waterstones

• Waterstones are a manmade stone designed to be softer than an oilstone. The sifter grade of stone allows it to be used with water as the lubricant versus oil to develop a fast cutting slurry with use. The Norton Waterstone system was designed in a carefully planned sequence to create sharpening efficiency. You get the level of abrasiveness you need at each stage without wasting time trying to sharpen your tool on a grit that is too fine too soon. Because waterstone wear concave with use, they must be re-flattened periodically with 220 grit diamond bench stones or 220 grit waterproof sandpaper attached to a glass plate.

Sharpness Testing
The first way to tell is visual, a sharp edge reflects no light. Once this is done, it is recommended that the tool be tested by slicing down on an end grain of soft pine. If the end grain is ragged, the tool is not sharp enough. If there are only scratches on the end grain, tiny fragments of the wire edge may be left and continued polishing is needed. A truly blade will leave a cut on the end grain that looks almost burnished.

Silicon Carbide Green Wheels

• Very sharp cool cutting wheel. Excellent for sharpening carbide tipped bits as well as working with non-ferrous materials such as aluminum, glass, ceramic and cast irons.

Diamond Sharpening Wheels

• The angled wheel is ideal for cutting pointy teeth and sharpening all carbide tools. Fine grit.

• The flat wheel is for slotting and grooves (may be used for stone carving tool, burrs and clay tools). Fine grit.