Thread: Lap norton 4k/8k stone before first use?

Good work, Bryan. Honing took me a while to learn: I flailed around for about three or four months before I really felt like I had a good handle on it. I'm still learning--this week I've had several breakthroughs.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Josh

I just wanted to thank everyone for this thread.

Another newbie straight razor user here (-after switching from the "Mock" 3 to a DE safety razor, before taking the final plunge). I couldn't get my new razor sharp enough to pass the HHT until I read this thread, after which I lapped the Norton 4/8 on a glass table.

After lapping for what seemed like an eternity with 600 grit wet-sand paper, I found the 400-grit paper worked better for me. I guess the 600 just wasn't cutting fast enough for the initial lapping, although, I suspect it will be sufficient now that everything's flat. Just a tip for other potential newbies.

As I said, I now pass the HHT with flying colors, but the razor seems to dull while I'm shaving (starts pulling the hair a little). I guess I need to work more on my honing skills, or lack thereof...

You may also want to work on your shaving technique. Use a smaller angle, especially for the first pass. If that doesn't work, you may just be one of those guys who have to strop mid-shave. Nothing wrong with that.

Do a lot of people end up stropping mid-shave? Didn't know that. That's what I've had to do the past few shaves. I was concerned that this was due to over-honing and having a weak edge.

Thanks for the tip -- I definitely need to work on shaving technique. The double-edge got me fairly used to angles and whatnot, but the straight really requires that you know the full topography of your face & then adjust to it. I have a relatively thin / concave face, so I have difficulty sometimes. Lousy eyesight doesn't help either.

Anyway, enough of my thread hijack.

many newbies starting to hone razors get concerned about whether their stone is flat...if they purchase a new stone 98% of the time the stone is fine but the tech leaves something to be desired...feel, pressure and tech is learned over time...you cant watch someone or a video or have a conversation and presto create a great edge...it takes time practice and trial and error...We have had many debates about the hhh test...in my humble opinion its worthless...how many times have we read questions on threads "my razor passed the hhh test but it still shaves terrible...I can cut hair with a steak knife but I wouldnt shave with it...THE ONLY TRUE TEST IS TO SHAVE WITH IT...SAVE YOUR HAIR ! As to stroping between passes unless someone has the toughest beard in history this is not needed...If a razor is properly honed and stroped it should easily last through a complete shave.On the rare occasion a razor starts pulling or grabing I put it down imed to go to maint and pick up another razor strop it and finish the shave....with regard to microscopes I orig bought a radio shack special (thought Id go blind using it) I then bought a used microscope from a shop that supplys used scopes to med students and doc" offices...every town has these shops...a little more money but easier to use worth every penny...dont buy on ebay check out a scope in person before you buy...

Clarman,

Thanks for your input -- I'll keep it in mind.

Though, I'm not sure that the benefit of "lapping" the Norton was merely for flattening the stone structure -- it also gave the surface texture a completely different feel. Out of the box, even the 8K side was rough and had a certain drag to it (not dissimilar to that of leather), but after lapping, it feels as smooth as glass. The effects of lapping the 4K side were similar, but to a lesser degree. I believe having a flatter, smoother stone surface is what had the greatest effect on my razor's honing. [Presumably finer & straighter teeth on the blade's edge.]

I might be new to this, but I'm not a fool. I would never put all my faith into one single test, but I believe passing the HHT shows an improvement over a previously dull razor which could not cut hair. The shave was an improvement, but I'm still dissatisfied -- and I intend to keep experimenting on technique until I am satisfied with the shave.

It is not surprising that there is a steep learning curve here, with this lost art, and only time and practice will make perfect. We can't learn everything over the internet, but we have to start somewhere.

I understand your comments! are you aware that to hone effectivly you must create a slurry on the stone which negates the smoothness...lapping is ment to create a level plzying field not to reduce friction especially since the norton 8000 side is not a fine finishing stone although some go no farther with honing to finish your hone many use a yellow codicule or escher or sharpton or paste...but Im sure you knew that...good luck!

I wasn't trying to be argumentative, so please don't take it as such. Just stating what I experienced.

Incidentally, yes, I did know the stone creates a slurry -- which is why lapping is generally required in the first place (-as the stone wears away). The question is whether an initial lapping is required, which I guess is more subjective.

Alexander,

Yes, you've got it. Very impressive.

Originally Posted by Alexander

Though, I'm not sure that the benefit of "lapping" the Norton was merely for flattening the stone structure -- it also gave the surface texture a completely different feel. Out of the box, even the 8K side was rough and had a certain drag to it (not dissimilar to that of leather), but after lapping, it feels as smooth as glass. The effects of lapping the 4K side were similar, but to a lesser degree. I believe having a flatter, smoother stone surface is what had the greatest effect on my razor's honing. [Presumably finer & straighter teeth on the blade's edge.]

I might be new to this, but I'm not a fool. I would never put all my faith into one single test, but I believe passing the HHT shows an improvement over a previously dull razor which could not cut hair. The shave was an improvement, but I'm still dissatisfied -- and I intend to keep experimenting on technique until I am satisfied with the shave.

..

no offense taken...just trying to help...I've honed a great many razors (more than the average user will hone during the course of many years) before Ihad to lapp my stone ...REMEMBER a razor is honed with virtually no pressure except the weight of blade on stone..