Quote Originally Posted by Spatterdash View Post
This is not a recommendation for a hone; more of an observation from another newbie.

Norton's 4k/8k is the usual recommendation for new guys, but like I mentioned to another member, I'm surprised the DMT W4E and the W4EE doesn't get more attention, especially the W4EE (8000 grit).

It's diamond plate, no lapping, only 24 bucks or so (maybe 26) and seems to be a great hone for everyone who has reviewed it. I intend to get these two hones and use a finishing stone at around 12k and chromium for my setup, so as to smooth away that diamond harshness.

Now let me be clear. I haven't had the experience of comparison, and therefore I can't recommend these hones and remain intellectually honest, but those honers who tried them really seem to like these little diamond hones. They describe them as a great option in both price and maintainence, with ease of use as an added bonus. It may not have as much talk on the forum, but what commentary it does have is absolutely positive.

The Norton, however, does seem to present some difficulties. Some say it dishes easy, needs a lot of lapping, collects edge-damaging grit from sandpaper, and costs over a hundred. As a new guy, it made me a little leery, to be honest.

More to the point, is the Norton the most recommended due to 'market saturation', i.e., most of the regulars started with one? Are people loathe to recommend a newer hone?
I've not had experience with the diamond plates you've mentioned, but one of the biggest reasons that the norton 4k/8k combo at least is recommended so frequently to newbies, is not only because it's a great hone, also because almost everyone has tried it, therefore there is a ton of experience around here on what it can and can't do, what results to expect, and what the potential problems are. So when a newbie has a question, lots of people can answer it quickly and tell them exactly what to try, because they themselves have the same hone(s). If, however, someone bought some less popular hones, and came and asked a question, there may be many less people who have used them, so people might not know what to make of the newbie's findings and would be forced to guess. This could put the newbie in a position of not knowing if it's his hones or his technique, kind of hindering the whole process.