Thread: Norton Flattening Stone

I've been using the Norton Flattening Stone to keep my Norton 1000,4000, & 8000 flat, but it's not working very well. The hones are flat, but I've had to replace the flattening stone onvce already, and the groocves ont he second one are fading fast. Besides that, both were purchased new, and both of them had to be flattened before I could even use them. Norton needs to tighten it up with their flattenning stone.
I am really looking for a flattening stone in the $50-100 range that comes flat, and stays flat for a long time. If anyone has had this same problem, and found the solution, the I would really appreciate your advise. Thanks!

Have you thought about using this method?

Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

hth,
Kent

The Norton Flattening Stone seems to get a bad press most of the time, so I'm guessing I lucked out, because I've used mine for over two years on Norton 4k, 8k, BBWs, coticules (hard and soft) with totally acceptable results. The 4k and 8k surfaces were as smooth as expected, but it can leaves some surface scratches on coticules. But they're very superficial and within a couple of honing sessions seem to smooth out fine.

Originally Posted by keenedge

Have you thought about using this method?

Hone Lapping 101 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

hth,
Kent

Thanks! I've used sandpaper a couple of times. I hone allot of razors when I sit down to hone, so I like to be able to finish up quickly. When I used sandpaper my hones were allot smoother, but the work seemed to be taking forever. I'll have to give it another go with paper until I get a new flattening stone. Maybe my impatience was the problem rather than the smooth honing surface.

Originally Posted by majurey

The Norton Flattening Stone seems to get a bad press most of the time, so I'm guessing I lucked out, because I've used mine for over two years on Norton 4k, 8k, BBWs, coticules (hard and soft) with totally acceptable results. The 4k and 8k surfaces were as smooth as expected, but it can leaves some surface scratches on coticules. But they're very superficial and within a couple of honing sessions seem to smooth out fine.

You did luck out. I've purchased two flattening stones within less than a year, and one is garbage, maybe good for straightening out a chipped blade, but that's it. The other one may have a couple of more rounds in it, but not by much. I'm trying to find my receipt, but I think both of these were purchased new in around a 6 month period.

When i had nortons, the flattening stone worked fine.

With that said though. If i had an option of what lapping stone to buy. It would be D8C or if i had the money, GDLP

if i look at diasharp under my straight edge it is not quite "flat"

the norton looks like it was designed with the hope of its user buying another norton waterstone sooner rather than later.

A good alternative is sandpaper and or a DMT steel plate that has diamond chips in it. They come in assorted grits and never really wear out. They work very well.

Any of the DMTs 8c 8Xc 8XXc will be fine. Lots of running water if you want them for a long time. I have even use the 8XXC on higher grit stones with LIGHT even pressure and the more i use it the more I believe it is the best for lapping. If you press hard with it it will leave deep scratches but with super light touch you get a nice finish. If you want to be fanatic you can smooth finer stones after against a lower grit stone. No stiction problems even the 8XC can still have a little stiction.
I don't use the norton flattening stone at all anymore. Because it starts to load, you end up compensating with extra pressure. Extra pressure means that some places are getting deep scratches where the load places are not doing anything. I can get a smoother surface with the 8XXC than a norton. If using the 8c make sure you use lots and lots of running water and it will be fine for quite a while. I love the surface the 8c leaves but the 8XX gives me a flatter stone as I don't have to worry about suction pulling unevenly on the stone being honed. The one with holes has less problems with this issue but is not as nice for rough in work on razors or other smaller tools that also get attention from my stones.
I actually have a 6c with holes that still flattens stones and I had it in service for years before I went to the diasharp line. I still use it for a quickie once in a while just to give it some love.
Michael