Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone

by Norton

Product Features

• 220/1000-grit combination waterstone for repairing, then establishing, steel cutting edges
• 4000/8000-grit combination waterstone for maintaining, refining, and polishing steel cutting edges
• 1/2 x 8 x 3 inch (H x W x D) size makes each waterstone suitable for use as a bench stone for knives and tools
• Blue plastic hinged boxes with no-slip rubber feet can be used as holders for the waterstones during sharpening
• 3/4 x 9 x 3 inch coarse-grit silicon carbide flattening stone for maintenance of waterstones, and an instructional DVD to demonstrate basic waterstone sharpening

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000XK0FMU
• Item model number: 07660787943
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92 in Industrial & Scientific (See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific)
  • #15 in Industrial & Scientific > Abrasive & Finishing Products > Sharpening Stones

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Norton Waterstone Sharpening Starter Kit is a complete kit for a faster, easier way to sharpen tools. The two 8 by 3 by 1-inch combination grit waterstones offer a complete grit range from 220 for major edge repair to 8000 for producing a mirror finish. The inclusion of a coarse grit, silicon carbide flattening stone allows the user the ability to quickly and easily maintain the flatness of the waterstones. An instructional DVD, hosted by tool expert Joel Moskowitz, offers step by step, free hand method for sharpening many woodworking tools. Includes a 220/1000 grit stone, a 4000/8000 grit stone, and a SiC flattening stone.

Product Description

The Norton waterstone starter kit includes the basic elements needed for sharpening tools and knives using waterstones: a 220/1000-grit and a 4000/8000-grit combination waterstone, each measuring 1/2 x 8 x 3 inches (H x W x D); a 3/4 x 9 x 3 inch coarse-grit silicon carbide flattening stone; and an instructional DVD. (H is height, the vertical distance from lowest to highest point; W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is depth, the horizontal distance from front to back.) Each waterstone comes in a hinged plastic box, with no-slip rubber feet, that protects it and provides a reservoir to keep it moist. The removable box lid acts as a sharpening station to hold the stone in place during bench sharpening. The silicon carbide flattening stone is used to maintain smooth sharpening surfaces on the waterstones. The instructional DVD demonstrates a freehand waterstone sharpening method.

The sharpening stones are used in sequence to restore the cutting edge on straight-edged tools, such as chisels, plane blades, and precision instruments. The 220/1000-grit combination waterstone is suitable for repairing and then establishing the cutting edge. The 4000/8000-grit combination waterstone is suitable for maintaining or refining, and then polishing the cutting edge. The silicon carbide flattening stone is used to smooth the sharpening surfaces and flatten the depressions that repeated use wears in a waterstone, to prepare it for effective sharpening of knives and tools.

These synthetic waterstones are created by grading abrasive material to a consistent particle size and blending it with bonding agents. Next, they are molded and surface-finished. Waterstones have a finer grit and softer bond than oilstones, and use water as the lubricant to develop a slurry, a thin paste of abrasive grains and water that removes metal with less pressure than an oilstone requires. Cleanup is easier than with oil as lubricant. These stones conform to the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) for waterstones.

Sharpening stones, or whetstones, are abrasive surfaces used to sharpen and hone the edges of steel cutting implements such as chisels, knives, scissors, hand scrapers, and plane blades. Sharpening is the process of creating or re-establishing a cutting edge by grinding away portions of the metal to adjust the angle of the edge and reform the shape. Honing removes small imperfections. Stones can be flat, for working flat edges, or shaped, for edges that are more complex. Sharpening stones are made of natural or synthetic materials that range from softer to harder, and are categorized by the size of their abrasive particles, known as grit. A stone with a coarser grit is used when more metal needs to be removed (e.g., when sharpening a nicked or very dull blade); the stone with the finest grit produces the sharpest edge. Where numbers are assigned to specify grit, they range from coarser grit (low) to finer grit (high). Some sharpening stones are designed for use with a lubricating liquid, some can be used dry, and others can be used either wet or dry. When used with lubricating liquid, a sharpening stone can be called a waterstone or an oilstone, based on the lubricant required.

Norton Abrasives manufactures sanding, grinding, and polishing abrasives, and has been located in the United States since 1885. Norton, now a brand of Saint-Gobain, meets ISO 9000 and 14001 certification for quality and environmental management standards.

What’s in the Box?

• 220/1000-grit combination waterstone in blue plastic hinged box with no-slip rubber feet
• 4000/8000-grit combination waterstone in blue plastic hinged box with no-slip rubber feet
• Coarse-grit silicon carbide flattening stone
• Instructional DVD
• Printed instructions

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good package for sharp edges, October 23, 2008

By 

christopher c caudill "ccc" (N. Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone (Misc.)

I finally spent the money on some quality stones after years of sandpaper sharpening. I'm glad I did. The DVD is very helpful, especially if you don't have a mentor to show you the ropes and is a good value because it teaches how to sharpen without a honing guide. The flattening stone works well and is necessary. If you're on a budget, I'd recommend a 1000/8000 stone,the DVD, and sandpaper for flattening, but if you can spring for it, the kit is a good value and I expect mine will last decades.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice set for the money, February 3, 2010

By 

Sheldon (Aspen, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone (Misc.)

Anyone who is into sharpening by hand, especially straight razors, will appreciate this set of stones. The set comes highly recommeneded by every forum on straight razor shaving, and should also put a razor edge on any knives and tools you have lying around the house. It even comes with a decent DVD on sharpening.

And while it will probably give you the best edge you have every had on knives and razors, you must check out some of the training videos on the Web to get it right. Freehand sharpening is not easy, but with a little education you can do a great job.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scary Sharp, January 27, 2009

By 

Exroofer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone (Misc.)

This kit includes everything you need to sharpen your chisels and plane blades. It even has a step by step video of how to use the stones. No stone is left unturned in putting together this set. For those who don't have a steady hand a honing guide is recommended, though by no means necessary.