Thread: Norton 8k question?

You should never need to do 100 passes on an 8K, IN MY OPINION. I know there are some here who do multiples of 100 and I think that just misses the point of the hone. You need to set the bevel with a coarser stone that removes metal to properly set the angle of the blade. A 4K can do it slowly, a 1K will do it faster. If you start with a 1K, you should follow with the 4K to remove a little more metal to primarily smooth out the scratches of the 1K. 20 to 30 passes is usually sufficient on the 4K. After that, the 8K is used to smooth out, or polish, the scratches of the 4K. It shouldn't take more than 20 or at most, 30 strokes to accomplish that. I usually only do 10 to 15 on the 8K.

My point is that the 8K is a polisher. Once its done the job, stop. The 8K will never need 100 strokes to do its job.

If you haven't done so, read up on honing in the newbie sticky or in the Wiki.

Good luck!

My point is that the 8K is a polisher. Once its done the job, stop. The 8K will never need 100 strokes to do its job.

Right on. At this grit level, you're just polishing (IE removing
striations from the previous stone), not sharpening. Since the
8k is a fast cutter to boot, you're looking at 10-15 strokes at
most.

- Scott