I use the Norton waterstone setup, and I hone a good many razor in a weeks time. I've been flattenning my stones with the Norton Flattenning stone. I have four Norton flattenning stones, and I love the somewhat rough finish that is left on the hone's surface from the Norton Flattenning stone. Recently I purchased my third set of Norton Hones, 1k, 4k, & 8k, and also ordered the Norton Flattenning stone with them. This flattenning stone is like a whole other stone all together when compared to the other three Norton fFlattenning stones I have. It is harder, and it takes forever for it to actually make the hones flat. Not only that, it leaves my hones with a super smooth surface that is just too smooth for my taste.
I've used waterproof sandpaper in an attempt to get my hones to the texture that works well for me; and the 120 grit came closer than anything else although I do think the hones could have been just a slight bit rougher. Since my new flattenning stone isn't working as I expected it to I ordered a new DMT D8c 325 grit diamond plate after hearing so many people brag on how well it works for flattenning the hones. I does flatten well, but the hone's surface is far too smooth, and I've had to resort to my old worn out Norton Flattenning stones to bring the hones to the textured I'm looking for.
That said, is there anyone else who uses the Norton setup, and prefers the stones be somewhat rough textured like I've described? Has anyone else purchased the Norton flattenning stones to only find that it was completely different than the previous Norton Flattenning stone you've used? My new one is so hard I doubt it will ever wear out. I need something to flatten my hones with that leaves the hones rough like 'some' of the Norton Flattenning stones do. Has anyone used the DMT 120 Grit Dimaond Plate? If so, what kind of honing surface did it leave on the nortons?
Any help or advise is appreciated very much. Thanks!