Thread: Norton 4k feels grainier and rougher than Chosera 1k

For some reason, my Norton 4k (the 4k side of a 4k/8k combo stone) feels grainier and rougher than my Chosera 1k even after I've lapped it down considerably.

Is this normal?

When I do my progression of honing from the Chosera 1k to my Norton 4k, it feels like I'm "going down" in grit-level and not up...

You need to lap till you get past the top rough surface, then it will be good to go, may be you need to lap more?

Originally Posted by mainaman

You need to lap till you get past the top rough surface, then it will be good to go, may be you need to lap more?

My Norton 4k/8k is 1 inch in thickness. So that means 0.5 inches for the 4k side. I lapped about 1/16 of an inch off already from the 4k side. Do I need to lap down more? If so, by how much? Thanks!

Originally Posted by spacex

My Norton 4k/8k is 1 inch in thickness. So that means 0.5 inches for the 4k side. I lapped about 1/16 of an inch off already from the 4k side. Do I need to lap down more? If so, by how much? Thanks!

IIRC ~ 1/8" was to be removed, but really you should go till there is no grainy feeling when honing on it. If it does not go away after some lapping then you may have something else going on.

The Norton 4K is about 2.5K on the JIS scale, so it's never going to feel all that much finer than a Chosera 1K.

Originally Posted by Ecl

The Norton 4K is about 2.5K on the JIS scale, so it's never going to feel all that much finer than a Chosera 1K.

Is there a chart for the JIS scale and different stones?

Originally Posted by spacex

For some reason, my Norton 4k (the 4k side of a 4k/8k combo stone) feels grainier and rougher than my Chosera 1k even after I've lapped it down considerably.

Is this normal?

When I do my progression of honing from the Chosera 1k to my Norton 4k, it feels like I'm "going down" in grit-level and not up...

Well, it is for me.....normal. The Chosera 1k is a very smooth stone for a 1k. I think it's maybe the binder used in the hone. It seems more dense and maybe a little softer than the Norton 4k and 1k which both give a more gritty feel too me to. Also if you put moderate pressure on the Norton 4k and the Chosera 1k you'll get deeper striation from the 4k Norton than from the 1k Chosera. Whether it's the density/softness of the binder or not but that's been my experience.

Absolutely correct. After going off the Naniwa 1k (don't have Chosera), the 4k Norton does feel rough. Normal thing. I love coming to the Norton 4k and feeling it's effectiveness. With the old Norton 1k, notsomuch, but same. Lots has to do with the lapping technique, I think? ( I am a pyramid guy, I must confess! )

Yep! Had to lap almost an 1/8" of my 4k

Really? Mine is old and wearing thin, but has always been good, from day one. I think production went to Mexico a while back.
Anyone notice a difference?