Thread: How much should I expect to spend for a new Norton 4/8k waterstone - recommendations?

Good evening folks, thanks for the information, I purchased the (brand new) Boker from knifecenter.com (140th edition) w/a colonel conk honing stone/oil ($15), I knew immediately that honing with this stone may prove to be a huge mistake, but I thought with the proper technique, I could pull it off. I haven't attempted to hone the razor, but I thought I could practice on a kitchen knife or something. So after reviewing the comments, the norton 4/8k is the stone I will look forward to investing in soon. Thanks, I still don't understand why so many people think honing so difficult, maybe it's my newbie optimism...?! By the way fellas where and how much should I expect to spend for a new Norton 4/8k waterstone, Any rec's on specials?

No word as far as I know, but Amazon has the beginners kit that everyone seems to recommend.

Originally Posted by Moniker88

Good evening folks, thanks for the information, I purchased the (brand new) Boker from knifecenter.com (140th edition) w/a colonel conk honing stone/oil ($15), I knew immediately that honing with this stone may prove to be a huge mistake, but I thought with the proper technique, I could pull it off. I haven't attempted to hone the razor, but I thought I could practice on a kitchen knife or something. So after reviewing the comments, the norton 4/8k is the stone I will look forward to investing in soon. Thanks, I still don't understand why so many people think honing so difficult, maybe it's my newbie optimism...?! By the way fellas where and how much should I expect to spend for a new Norton 4/8k waterstone, Any rec's on specials?

Is this a pre sharpened razor? If not , you are correct to think that it would be a mistake to try to get it shave ready with the stone you bought. If it is prehoned, don't go anywhere near it with any hone until you are regularly getting good results. You really want to eliminate variables when you are starting out and the sharpness of the razor is a big one.

A Norton 4K/8K would be sufficient for someone competent at honing razors, but your money would be much better spent getting the razor honed by someone like Lynn who can put the right edge on it.

A lot of guys start out and know that they want to hone their own razors. Like you, they don't see what's so hard about honing. Believe me, it will help you immeasurably if you have a pro sharpened razor to provide a point of reference for what a truly shave ready razor feels and shaves like. Once you have that under your belt, get another similar razor and see if you can get it to the same degree of sharpness and smoothness. It could be as easy as you seem to think it is or you may find it to be more of a challenge than anticipated. Either way, you won't know if you have succeeded without something to compare your results with.

the norton kit on amazon is about $119 or you can buy just the 4000/8000 from woodcraft.com for about $79. please make sure of your honing skills before trying it out on that new blade. my thoughts would be send it out to someone on here, like lynn abrams and have it made shave ready and find a cheaper razor to learn honing skills....good luck.

I purchased a shave ready razor from Lynn Abrams. And, comparing my honed blades to his was invaluable. In my honing, I aggressively use the Radio Shack 60x-100x microscope. Even without the microscope, having Lynn's shave ready blade would have been invaluable. But, combined with the microscope, I believe my ability to learn from the "Lynn razor" was significantly increased.

I would view Lynn's edge, and hone away on another blade, comparing back and forth. I don't think I would have done nearly as well learning to hone with just the naked eye and with shave tests.

I highly recommend the use of a microscope when learning to hone!

Originally Posted by Moniker88

Thanks, I still don't understand why so many people think honing so difficult, maybe it's my newbie optimism...?!

No, it's not difficult, it's nothing more than rubbing the razor against the hones and switching the later when appropriate. Unfortunately, most people who try it can't manage to get a very good edge and that leads to frustration.
By all means give it a try and see how it works for you.

I also bought the Col. Conk hone from Knife Center almost 3 years ago , and soon found out that it's not the best hone for razors (although it is a great finish hone for knives , and you don't need honing oil , water works better) . The Norton 4/8k is an excellent razor hone , and I honed the first straight razor I ever shaved with , on one . My first shaves were a little rough , but after some trial and error I was able to get a decent shave with it . A razors edge is different than the edge on a knife . The edge of a knife has a steeper angle , to give it durability . The edge of a razor has a very shallow angle . which is fragile , and requires that you use only enough pressure to keep the edge in contact with the hone , when honing .

If your on a budget there are other less costly stones out there.

Honing is an art form in itself and it takes great practive to train the muscles in the hand to be delicate but firm.

I have found through experiance that it takes some time to perfect the edge, buy some ebay basics and use them as a practice and shave with them and if they are rough and nick you a few times it teaches you to strive for a better edge and you will learn in a matter of time the skills involved and how a good blade should feel like.

Here's the good news: I searched the web for months and found that the absolute best price is on www.classicshaving.com (hurry while they still have 'em). I just got mine and after studying and studying and studying again the pyramid method by Lynn (see the wiki) and the lapping techniques also there, my stubborn boker king cutter (bought it new, and have to be put to rest until my norton arrived) finally gave me a perfect shave that I previously had with a 60's eicker & söhne 6/8 (my favorite). This norton is the perfect stone from my perspective (properly lapped)