Replies

1. 
   vincentedwards | Apr 17, 2007 10:06pm | #1

   You will be fine keeping that stone in water.
   I use the full range of Norton Combo stones (220/1000 and 4000/8000) and have kept them all in water for over a year with no problems. Norton Brand stones specifically can withstand constant soaking. This is not true for shapton and some other waterstones.

   You biggest concern will be grit contamination. Make sure that your water is clean, and rinse the stone after using the 1000 grit side. If you are soaking in the same water you shapen over/with, make sure the stone is elevated from the bottom of the stone pond so that grit that settles to the bottom doesn't end up on the stone.

   I would also suggest getting the norton 4000 grit stone. It wears faster than the other two, and is an important step between shaping (with the 1000) and polishing (with the 8000).
   I know that my 4000 stone gets the most use out of all my stones, since it is often the one I use fist to touch up a slightly dull blade. In my opinion, the norton 4000 is also softer than their 1000 or 8000, so it wears more quickly... but this also means it cuts really fast.
   If you look into it, the 4000 grit is made in italy, vs USA for the other stones.