Thread: My head is full of hones...help :)

Sorry to hijack:

Would a DMT 6" Diasharp coarse/ extra coarse stone work for flattening Norton 4/8k stone?

I just don't want to buy the larger DMT.

Why not use some wet dry sandpaper until you want to buy something good, then get the 8 inch 325 dmt. I use the 6 inch to raise slurry but use the full size to lap. Its much easier with the full size dmt.

Originally Posted by joepa150

Sorry to hijack:

Would a DMT 6" Diasharp coarse/ extra coarse stone work for flattening Norton 4/8k stone?

I just don't want to buy the larger DMT.

Basically no. The Norton is bigger than the 6" DMT so would be maddening to measure flatness & then have to lap specific areas of stone. So easy to get it wrong unless you've done that sort of thing before.

Very similar to me, save naniwas instead of Norton on the middle hones. Works quite well.

It's not so much that the Nortons have been cut up, it's the dimensions of the thing once it's been done and the efficiency.

The Norton 4/8 is a large stone - arguably larger than you need for razors. However, quartering or even halving them has the effect of making things reciprocally more difficult (4 times harder, or twice as hard, respectively), especially for the beginner. An experienced honer could probably make reasonable use out of a cut down Norton, and in fact there are many more-complicated situations where people prefer a narrower hone.

But things are complicated enough for a new honer just trying to sort out the actual physical stroke on a well-behaved razor. Muscle memory gets developed in those early stages, and it is a lot easier developing a consistent stroke on an 8x3 hone than it is doing short strokes on a 4" one. Besides that, pretty much all the advice here regarding beginning honing has developed assuming a full-size hone so things can get complicated trying to scale that advice down.

On top of that, it's a false economy. Are you in fact paying a quarter of the full norton price for a quarter norton? It all gets muddled up because there are other hones included in the deal, and I'm not saying whippeddog shouldn't be allowed to make a profit, but on a per gram basis you are actually paying a lot more for these cut down hones.

In the end it is your choice of course, and your money. If you can afford it I'd suggest the full size hones. But I realise it is about the absolute magnitude of cost, not the per gram cost. But also realise that honing your razors is a lifetime investment, not a one-off thing. So whatever you buy now will last you a long long time in the normal run of events. Viewed from a lifetime perspective, an extra 50 bucks is money well spent IMO.

James.

James,

Thanks for the response. I'm set on buying the full Norton size stones. Right now still working on stropping technique so I sort of jumped to the chicken before the egg. Once I get my stropping down I will be purchasing the Norton's. Thanks again to everyone who has posted here it's been very beneficial and I have learned a bunch!

Joey

G,

Either the Norton or the Naiwia stones, Choseras or Super Stones, Full Size, all are equally good. Learn to hone with either set, it should not be too difficult with a 1, 3, 8 or 1, 5, 8 progression, either is a foolproof combination, a 12K Super Stone finisher and a D8 DMT. Do not skimp on synthetic stones, as said they will be your go to stones that will last forever. You can buy full size combo stones and or sets to save money.

Then you can and most probably will expand to Natural Finishers. Naturals add another large variable in your learning process, each natural stone must itself be learned. Your synthetics will keep you shaving as you learn naturals, which as you have read can be challenging. When you buy naturals buy the largest stone you can afford.

First learn to hone the easiest and best way possible.

A length of Nylon/Poly strapping from a fabric stone will teach you to strop without slicing up leather strops like a Benihana Chef.