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So as I'm practicing my honing skills, I'm finding streaks on the hone from what I'm assuming is nothing more than particles taken off the edge of my razor. Should they be uniform across the stone? Should they even be there at all? Is this where "clogging" a stone comes into play? Is lapping the only way to get rid of them?
Hmmm, more info on the hone would be good.
The metal removed by honing has to go somewhere and the surface of the stone is the usual place for it. If you actually clog the stone by filling the pores with metal particles you will want to lap it to clean it up. You may be able to just scrub the surface with a scotch-brite pad (dish or pot scrubber) or rub the surface buildup off with your hands.
At least in my case, those stains are never even across the surface of the hone.
The main culprit is my Norton 4/8. I have a similar problem on my Chinese Natural stone, but really minimal. I can snag some scotch brite pads from the parts dept at my work, but I've got some 0000 steel wool...would that work just the same, or would it damage the stone?
If I continue to leave it on the hone while I'm sharpening, do I risk clogging/glazing it?
I keep a fingernail brush by the sink where I hone. Every so often I brush the stone under running water. Like Bill the swarf won't be even on my hone either.