Thread: First Hone

I was looking at getting a hone. The Norton 4000/8000 seems to be popular, but I was also looking at the 8000 DMT diamond hone. I like the idea of never needing to lap. Would the 8k DMT suffice as a single hone for a while?

will better start with norton4/8.

I'd go with the Norton. While there are guys that swear by the DMT, they often say you have to break them in first. It's also easier to get a nick or problem spot out with a 4000 of any brand than a finer stone.

You are right that the need to lap often is a big drawback to the Norton but its is made much easier with Nortons lapping stone. It also isn't really all that hard to do correctly, there are several tutorials out there for this.

I just got my first hone, the Norton 4K/8K from Howard at theperfectedge.com. He will lap the stone for you for only $5, which will get you started. I also got the DMT D8C diamond plate for lapping the Norton (which many recommend over the Norton lapping plate).

Although I'm a complete newb, too, from what I've gathered, the Norton 4k/8K is one of the most versatile and practical hones to have. It, along with a pasted strop and regular strop, is capable of keeping your razor shave-ready pretty much indefinitely (unless you chip or otherwise seriously damage your edge). Plus, as Tim says, lapping isn't that difficult.

Originally Posted by Payne

I just got my first hone, the Norton 4K/8K from Howard at theperfectedge.com. He will lap the stone for you for only $5, which will get you started. I also got the DMT D8C diamond plate for lapping the Norton (which many recommend over the Norton lapping plate).

Do this, and you'll be golden. Norton 4k/8k plus the D8C to lap it with. You can't go wrong - you'll save yourself a ton of time just based on the documentation available.