What do you lubricate your Norton Sic Stones With?

abey67

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Title says it all. Just curious what you use on these stones to keep them from clogging?
 
Mineral oil. The two go well together; it's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. :)

Sic stones are pretty tolerant of being used dry or with water; I've used them that way at times. But I've liked them better with some mineral oil, especially on heavier grinding jobs that generate a lot of swarf.


David
 
View attachment 778535 Norton makes a Tri Hone that puts a mineral oil underneath the triangular prism. It catches the overflow and lets you coat the stones with fresh oil. After I coat the top stone with oil, I squeegee the excess off with a rubber kitchen spatula to lessen the mess.
 
I use water instead oil. My guess is easier to clean. Just put it under the tap and nothing stays sticking. The main reason why I don’t use oil is that when I have to flatten it I do with sandpaper and water.
 
I use mineral oil. THe thick grade as it remains on the surface and doesn't soak in. Then when finished sharpening I simply wipe it w/ a cloth and it is clean. DM
 
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Thanks for all of your help. I've always used them dry but they tend to clog fairly fast. I think I'll try the mineral oil and see how it goes.
 
Economy = Soapy water. Crystolon = Mineral oil. Though I have not used Norton stones for years now...
 
I have a few different silicon carbide stones and some are used with water and others I use Norton oil.
Depending on what I’m sharpening I sometimes use glycerin or dish soap also.
 
Mineral oil mostly. Sometimes I use dimethicone on the fine side, a thin silicone oil. It plays well with mineral oil.
 
I use a lighter oil... honing oil or baby oil... not regular mineral oil. I got better results.. I think mineral oil is too thick. Obviously, the minority here.... :p
 
The light Norton oil, it's great stuff and I also started using it on my diamond stones as it helps during sharpening and makes them easier to clean off when done. But I don't use Norton stones much anymore. I still keep 2 Norton economy stones on hand--a 6" I've had for years, and an 8" recently acquired. These stones are mainly relegated to large outdoor tool duty, though, along with my lansky puck.
 
I use light mineral oil (lower viscosity) or WD 40. Sometimes I use synthetic wintergreen oil. You need to be careful when using the wintergreen oil because it can damage certain plastics, it does smell nice.
 
Norton Honing Oil.

I have a NORTON trip flip system just like the one that "tiguy7" showed us. I've used the NORTON oil and the BUCK honing oil as well on many of my stones with great results. It also seems to make it easier to clean the stone when all is done. And I've found that keeping all of these stones as clean as possible seems to help it's abrasive properties and overall performance.

I've also used the machinist's coolant used in CNC machines which has lubrication properties and I've had great results with it. Anything to keep your stones from becoming loaded or clogged is the key IMO.

I rarely sharpen more than two knives with any of my stones without cleaning them. I've been told that what I do is "overkill" but it works well for me.
 
I have a Norton Crystolon combi stone and since I have been using the Norton brand oil, I have not had any problems with glazing etc. Dishing yes, no glazing!
 
I go back and forth between the Gatco oil that came with my jig and Marvel Mystery oil. But I'm not at all what you would call an expert. I just got my first crystolon stone a few weeks ago.
 
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