Norton 1000x/4000x Combination Waterstone

Norton 1000x/4000x Combination Waterstone

Highland Hardware has been an ardent proponent of Japanese waterstones for many years. So, when Norton came out with their waterstones, we wanted to give them a go. After almost two years of shop use and testing, we are pleased to offer these fine stones.

The 1000X/4000X stone measures 8 in. long x 3 in. wide x 1 in. thick.

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. The 1000 grit stone 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. The 4000 grit stone 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.

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 (156620) or any other method you like for truing all the stones. A nagura stone (026425) 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. Each stone comes in a nonskid, plastic case for clean use and storage.