Thread: Norton Quarter-sized Honing Set

So Larry at Whipped Dog offers the Norton honing set cut into quarters. Some guys on the SRP FB page told me I should instead go for the full-size set. I am wondering if any of you gents have purchased the quarter stones and if so, how well do they work for you? All I have at the moment is the Chinese 12k barbers hone, which is the quarter size cut from the full size that Woodcraft sells. This hone works rather well for me for refreshing my edges every month or two. Since I am delving further into honing, I just want to make sure I make the right choice. If most folks here consider the full size set a must, then I will be sure to purchase it (I admit it really is a great deal, especially compared to buying all the stones separately). But if the quarters will get me by, I may just get them and save a bit of money. So conflicted right now... Help me out!

Well opinions are like . . . we all know. On this subject I have to say if you are getting by now then wait and figure out what you really want and then get that. I love buying stuff, however if you are on a tight budget you should restrict yourself to buying stuff once. If you think that those hones are "the ones" go for it. I would rather work with larger hones. There are other synthetics out there as well. I'm not well versed in which brand offers what, I'll leave that to those with HAD.

Ideally I'd like the full-size Norton set (220/1000, 4000/8000, flattening stone) and a Naniwa 12k. Pricey, though. I have a birthday coming up, however, so I may splurge if my folks give me some money or something (they usually do). I also just sold two of my razors on the classifieds here, but I'd hate to spend that $100 just to have something come up that I have to pay for. For example, just last night my wife's laptop's screen just cracked, out of nowhere. She set it down and walked away for a few minutes, and came back and it was cracked. Took a while to calm her down. So yeah, gotta get that fixed. Always something...

Anyway, I appreciate the insight. I think it might be wiser to wait and get what I really want, instead of going the cheaper route and always thinking, "Maybe I should've gone with the full-size ones..."

Quarter hones would be a waste of money imo. You can only do circles only. No full or half strokes or rolling x. Most blades arent completely dead flat so if one of yours is off a little like most of em are, then you wasted your money. Buy the full size 4/8. You can set a bevel with the 4 if you had to. Jmho.

Here's another vote for buying a full hone set when you have the cash. Quarter hones are worthless, IMHO.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Quarter hones would be a waste of money imo. You can only do circles only. No full or half strokes or rolling x. Most blades arent completely dead flat so if one of yours is off a little like most of em are, then you wasted your money. Buy the full size 4/8. You can set a bevel with the 4 if you had to. Jmho.

I figured it'd be nice to have the 220/1000 if I ever need to restore an edge. Plus, the set comes with the flattening stone, which I know I'll need.

And yes, I am a huge fan of smiling edges... which I need to learn how to take proper care of when honing. I'm assuming circles would be rather hard on a smiling edge?

A ridiculous waste of money AFAIC. Trying to hone with slurry stones.

I agree. I mean I don't mind small hones (like a small coticule bout or somtething), but a quarter-sized Norton is just TOO small IMHO....I could actually see it making honing unenjoyable in all honesty....

Okay, so general consensus is go full or go home... I will go with the set from SRD for $134. At the same time, though, I really want the 12k Naniwa... But that would put me well over $200. Is there another good finisher that is comparable to the 12k Naniwa? Or do I just need to adjust and shave off of the 8k Norton?

Nix the quarter stones unless of course you have some quarter razors..........