Hand Tools doings #16: Sharpening with questions, of course

Waterstones are supposed to bubble up when you submerge them in water. In fact, you should leave the stones in the water until the bubbling has stopped, and then start sharpening. That means that the stone is saturated and will now work properly.

As for storing them, I don’t think there’s a right way or wrong way to let them dry. I usually keep mine in their tupperware containers with the lids slightly open to let them dry gradually.

On the flip side, if you plan on doing a lot of sharpening, it does not hurt the stones in the slightest to just store them in the water. I know several people who do this. That’s why I keep mine in two tupperware containers that are almost perfect waterstone sized. My experience, though, is that if they’re in there too long, they get a bit slimy (algae, maybe? maybe it’s my water), so if I think it will be a while before my next sharpening session, I dry them out. If I expect to do more in the next week or two, I’ll leave them in to soak (after changing the water).

P.S. You can see a couple pics of my setup over on my blog.

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Looks like you’ve got a good station going there. I left my stones in the water for a few day and they got a bit manky sooo I stopped dong thing. I wonder if it would make any difference if you used distilled water.

I’m glad the bubble thing is expected. The first time I saw I though Snap Crackle and Pop had come for a visit!

Well – gotta get ready for work.

Thanks for your input.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

the lower grit stones, like a 1000 are more porous so obviously they have more voids in them to trap (and release) air. I store my lower grit King (Japanese) stones in rubbermaid lidded containers so that they’re always ready. Add a couple of drops of bleach to the water to mitigate the mung in the water and you’re good to go. Norton says not to store their stones in water when not in use so I don’t do that to the set I have.

As a side note, when sharpening narrow chisels or other narrow blades, router plane, etc., I “drag” the tool cutting edge facing me, rather than push it across the stone to mitigate gouging the stone.

grumpycarp: Thanks for the tip about bleach – I’ll have to try that!

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Diamond stones you can just wash off and let them dry on their own. They don’t need help. Getting curls in end grain is good!

-- "No Board Left Behind"

Grumpy—- I had forgotten that Norton tells you not to store the stones in water when not in use. Thanks for the reminder.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I have the Norton combo stones, and I store them in water, in a closed tupperware container. I add a splash of vinegar to the water to keep it from sliming up. I was told to do that by someone along the way, and it’s worked well. I’ve had these stones for at least a couple years now.

Paring end grain and shaving means it’s getting pretty sharp.

-- johnjoiner

My water stones have been in water for 10 years in tupperware container. I change the water every 6 months(distilled and a tsp of bleach). Have had no problems. They are 800 & 1200 stones.

-- WOOD/DON (...one has the right to ones opinion but not the right to ones own facts...)

Don——I’m assuming you clean off the slurry before you put both stones in the same water??? Your waterstones and Bret Farve have a lot in common – longevity!

Thanks for the help guys!

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I noticed a little mildew on my norton 1000/4000 combination after having it kept under water for a few weeks. However, a couple years ago a guy at Woodcraft told me about trying bleach and like other posts here, I’ve not had any trouble keeping them clean while under water since then. Now, I always add a few drops of bleach whenever I change the water.

-- Martin, Kansas

I’m trying the bleach idea. Sounds like it works.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!