Norton IM313 -11.5″ Three Stone Sharpening System – Fine India, Medium Crystolon, and Coarse Crystolon stones (4-Pack) Review

The Norton Crystolon and India IM313 11-1/2 inch three-stone sharpening system includes 100-grit and 150-grit silicon carbide stones and a 320-grit aluminum oxide stone, a self-contained three-stone bench sharpening unit with a lid and no-slip rubber feet, a reservoir, an angle guide, and a 16 oz. bottle of sharpening stone oil for lubrication. In the top of the bench sharpening unit, a rotating axis holds the stones firmly in place, protecting them against breakage, and bringing the desired stone into position for sharpening. The base of the sharpening unit is a reservoir that allows submersion of the unused stones, keeping them clean and saturated. The angle guide helps to position a tool correctly for sharpening. The three stones in this system are used sequentially to restore cutting edges on straight-edged tools, such as knives, chisels, plane blades, and precision instruments; the 100-grit silicon carbide stone is suitable for repairing a cutting edge, while the 150-grit silicon carbide stone is suitable for sharpening and maintaining the edge, and the 320-grit aluminum oxide stone produces a honed cutting edge. The sharpening stone oil meets FDA requirements for use near food, and consists of pharmacopeia-grade mineral oil formulated with the correct lubricity for oilstone sharpening. It prevents metal from bonding with the abrasive surface by flushing away dislodged abrasive and metal chips. Each stone is also prefilled with oil to save time and eliminate the need to presoak it prior to use. The silicon carbide stones are fast-cutting and offer effective sharpening, even under light pressure. The aluminum oxide stone has a tough fracture- and wear-resistant grit that is more durable than silicon carbide and capable of sharpening to very close tolerances.