Thread: 1/4 Nortons

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Like I say just what I was told, apparently the newer Norton stones aren't that flat, it obviously this is just opinion, don't have either yet, but have a naniwa on order, though won't be able to do a lapping comparison as I don't have a Norton. The nortons were "the" hone for some time though as far as I understand.

Since 2007 the production has changed locations on the Nortons.. this is why you hear so many different opinions


Back in the past the 4k and the 8k were made in the USA and the lapping went rather fast

Then the 4k switched to Mexico and we heard of people lapping over 1/8" off to get a smooth surface

The 4k switched to Italy next and things got slightly better

BTW there is no absolute with any of this, you lap until you get a smooth even surface, but these are the trends we saw

This is also different for the single grit Norton vs the 4/8

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'll pick up a Naniwa at the first of the year.

Is that tax time in the US, or just a late Chrissie present. Or a joke that I completely missed?

Tax Mad Money time.

...So some like Nortons and some like Naniwas is one better than the other or is it just personal preference? The Nortons and Naniwas are in the budget but the natural stones are out there price wise and don't know much about them but after watching vids from the JaNorton thread I was impressed with the comments about the shaves off the 8k, don't mind the blather, just trying to put some thoughts down to help make up my mind, but definitly going with DMT 325 for lapping. Do both brands perform equally well? one you have to soak and the other not so much.

Originally Posted by RVShave

...So some like Nortons and some like Naniwas is one better than the other or is it just personal preference?

Yes as far as I can tell, best to decide yourself, I was going the Norton route originally, saw them on amazon quite cheaply, but amazon wouldn't ship to Australia. So I started a thread and ended up completely confused.
I picked a member and pm'd them a bit and got some single viewpoint advice. Most people say naturals aren't great for beginners as the charcteristics vary stone to stone.
A lot of people now recomend atoma lapping plates, I have one on order but don't know what it is like yet.
Whichever route you go there will be people who can help you.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Tax Mad Money time.

Tax returns at christmas, what a way to spend the holidays, ours is mid year. Think we will end up using it towards a fence, or moving, or who knows what my wife will decide :-)

Actually, the earliest the money arrives is about the 1st or 2nd week of February.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Actually, the earliest the money arrives is about the 1st or 2nd week of February.

Just in time for Valentine's day, how would your partner feel about a hone? You could draw a heart on it

Been following several hone threads and wondering as I'm leaning to a Norton 4/8 and was thinking about a Naniwa SS 12k for finisher, but caught a Chinese water stone at woodcrafters that says they are 12k and it is decently priced. Would this be a decent set up or am I looking for trouble with the Chinese stone as opposed to the SS?

Originally Posted by RVShave

Been following several hone threads and wondering as I'm leaning to a Norton 4/8 and was thinking about a Naniwa SS 12k for finisher, but caught a Chinese water stone at woodcrafters that says they are 12k and it is decently priced. Would this be a decent set up or am I looking for trouble with the Chinese stone as opposed to the SS?

I have a Chinese 12k stone and it is okay, but I feel like it could be better perhaps. I am planning on getting a Naniwa 12k soon. I recommend you do the same, as the quality in the Chinese 12k varies stone to stone.