Norton 8" Combination Bench Stone Questions....

J

jonc123

Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
234
I just purchased the Norton 8" Combination Bench Stone (IB8) from an advertiser here. I'll mostly be using it with fixed blades (BK2, BK9, BK11, BK16).

I have read that lots of folks are using WD40 with the stone. Does food grade mineral oil work O.K. also? What about water?

Is the 8" stone long enough to sharpen "The King" (BK-9)?

I didn't buy a mount for this stone, I could make one easily but I'll probably set something underneath that is non-slip. Any ideas on that are welcome also. Any hints, tips or tricks about any of this would help me. I freehand all of my large stuff, axes, etc. so I don't think I'll have a problem with the stones.

I hope this works out well...I like simplicity.

Advice on a strop would be welcome too. I have a leather shop nearby and can purchase belt material from them. Does plain leather work O.K. without compound? I am confused about the different types. I need a compound that would work well on a strop coming from the fine side of the Norton.

Thanks,

Jon
 
I have a flexxx strop from a former member here. I actually have one, and am ordering another one when I get paid. I have mine loaded with Green and Black compound (probably most common.)

I believe Ethan uses a Norton stone. It should be long enough I'm sure. Any lubricant would be alright. I think WD-40 is just easy.

As for the mount you don't need to buy one, you could use the non-slip cabinet mat, or if you are going to be using it in a shop and not moving it, you could probably mount a couple of pieces of wood around where you're going to be using it to keep it in place. Even drilling a couple of holes to place a dowel into on the corners would probably work quite well. Not too sure of what area you're going to be using the stone in.
 
Watch this video. It'll help a lot. I found the part where Mr. Fisk talks about how he uses the stone especially helpful and learned the most from that bit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzBSjQFWyhM

In my experience you can use water or other food grade oils but I have found wd40 to work best with this stone. Some people are concerned with the WD40 imparting a taste into their food if they use their Becker for food prep but I have found that if I wash my knife with a bit of soap and water then wipe the blade down with some food safe oil that I haven't had any issues.
 
I just have a squeeze bottle of mineral oil. Wd40 tastes like leftover sunbaked ostrich turds.
 
I'll try the WD40, cheap enough (I won't be using these knives for food prep). On the strop....Do you use the smooth side of say vegetable tanned leather?

I use these knives mostly for splitting wood for campfires and kindling (for the most part).

Where are you getting the green and black compound (certain brand?), didn't see it at GPKnives. Is it at the big box store?

Thanks,

Jon
 
Use lamp oil/kerosene or mineral oil, WD40 works too as it's basically a mix of very similar petroleum products.
 
if you want to buy something you can buy actual norton sharpening stone oil.
or pretty much any oil will work. I usually use air tool oil
 
I have mineral oil on hand but it seems kind of expensive for that use; I probably didn't purchase it at the place that had the best price; I have a nationwide chain woodworking store not too far away that I bought it at.
 
Jon what part of Missouri you in? GPKnives doesn't carry the strop compound but I got mine at the big river store. GP does have a bottle of oil I think 6 or 8 oz for $2 or something cheap.
 
Got the stones today. Dulled a few knives on the edge of the stone and went to work using the WD40. I will try mineral oil next time.

My first impression is that the bevels look much better to the eye than when I freehand with the DMT Diafolds. I was never really able to get my knives shaving sharp with the diafolds...with the Norton I can get them "near" shaving sharp. Parts of the blade will barely shave, which is better than before. I think with more practice I will improve.

I will probably make a strop from a piece of wood and natural cowhide belt strip. Will that work? Already found the green compound. Everything coming together. How long of a strop & how wide?

Thanks for the help,

Jon
 
My preference for a strop is around 10-16 inches. Exact size isn't super critical, since you shouldn't be spending much time on the strop it's not a big deal to make more passes to get the full length of the blade. (also use the smooth side of the leather for the strop, the rough side "works" but generally smooth is better)
 
This stone is working out well. I may purchase another benchstone to use in conjunction with the Norton, one that is a little finer. I am looking at a DMT 600 Grit, or maybe one of the DMT combo benchstones 600/1200 (red & green) grit. Maybe a soft Arkansas stone. Any opinions?
 
I used oil for 25 years or so, but the last two years strictly water on all my stones.

You can buy a bag of scrap leather at craft stores for $3.00 to $5.00 depending on the size of the bag. So far I've made 10 strops and many sheaths from the bag and still have half of it left. Buy a good 1/2" or 1" x 3" or so board and cut it how ever long you want it. You can choose to cut out a handle or not. Anyhow, use wood glue to glue the leather to the board and then trim to fit. I started making double sided with handles, but honestly like the no handle double sided better. It makes it easier to use both sides and both edges if the handle isn't there.

You'll get all different thickness of leather...Try them all. Make some smooth side up others not. They play with them all and see what works for you and give away the rest. :)

You can also make four sided strops if you want and then buy your compound from bark river retailers like DLT trading. I bought black, green, and white. You really only need black and white to get super edges. White is a little finer than green and will polish the edge super sharp.

You don't have to use compound, but if you have it you really don't need your Norton stone unless you really trash your blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top