Norton 8k as finishing hone?

Hi there,
Can the Norton 8k side be used as a reasonable finishing/polishing hone in place of a coticule. I know it will not be as good, but will it be reasonable?
Cheers

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people out there using the norton 4/8 as their only stone.

So, yes, it'll do the job just fine.

Absolutely - for most people it's not only reasonable, it's great.

Having said this, I find I don't like N8K too much for final work, and try to finish with something else.

In your case, it would be pretty easy to follow N8K with 200 laps on newspaper with a stropping motion, it should refine the edge OK. Maybe even some Chromium Oxide on a thin leather glued to a glass piece or something before the newspaper and a/r N8K, if you can scramble this

Good luck
Ivo

Good advice, I use a Norton 4/8k stone and never thought of using newspaper i use a very light cardboard and finish on that but I might try newspaper also

Chop

Untill I got my pasted 2 sided paddle strop from tony miller, I finnished on the 8k... It worked but I found it lacking. Taking to long on the leather strop to get a good shave. Now with the paddle strop as my finnish I get the good shave every time.

I would consider the 8k norton to be the base minimum as a finisher.

Thats my $.02 worth...

I cannot shave straight from the 8k. I have to go to a pasted strop or at least a coticule before I find it comfortable to shave.
I guess its just a matter of finding out what your skin needs.

I go straight from 8k to strop to face. Not a problem at all.

Like others have said I guess it's what you are used to and what you are prepared to spend!

Some folks are just too damn picky!

If you have a 4/8k combo you don't need to rush out for anything else as you will get acceptable results. Just remember that your strop does not sharpen the razor as such rather it smoothes out the serrations. Spend too long on it and it can be detrimental. If memory serves a member did some research ad found 60 laps was optimal but above that did nothing to improve the edge.



Si.

Speaking of "finishing", I was thinking about getting the DOVO Paddle from ClassicShaving at some point in the not too distant future. I'm not rushing out to get it now or anything, as I don't even have a shave ready blade yet... But, I was just wondering if this would be a good tool to have - especially until my honing skills are a bit more "up to snuff"?
Ideas, thoughts, opinions?

I have something similar to this, just not dovo branded. To be honest it does its job, but I think it is overpriced. Maybe have a look into Tony Miller's site. Whilst I don't have any of his strops at the moment he will be my first choice when I get funds for a new strop.

I just posted this on the honing thread....go to your local auto parts store and get a small container of mothers aluminum polish. It is a paste of white jewlers rouge. Rub a small amount on a piece of non corrugated cardboard. As you strop with this you will see the cardboard starts you get a dark grey haze. When it feels sharp, you can pass it over plain cardbord. The edge will be polished and very sharp!