Thread: Norton Razor Hone

Ok..... What makes this hone so special that it sells for around $500 or more? ( The one in the picture is said to be "UNUSED".
It has NORTON in an oval imprinted on the hone. I understand they do not make these any longer....But really?
Too rich for me....lol

yep that's what some go for tc

Generally the price was driven up by speed axe user in AUS that swear by this hone. They compete professionally so for them its an investment in a tool, not a collector piece. At one point they were selling for over $1k USD. Then Sham reviewed it over at his site and said something crazy like it gives an edge equivalent to the Gokumyo 20k (I can say if this is true or not true as i've never used either) so people started going nuts over them. Usually the more threads written about them (like this one) when people google the stone then more the demand and price goes up.


Personally I think they are just a good barbers hone and would rather spend the money a nice finisher.

I have one and occasionally use it. When used correctly it can provide an excellent finish, although they were probably intended to be used as touch up hones.

Scag is correct in describing the Norton as a good barber's hone: that's basically true, but they are also one of the best barber hones ever made. Time and technology have outdistanced these little hones to a great extent; modern synthetics like the Shapton and Naniwa 12k hones and more recently, the Suehiro Gokumya 20k, are undoubtedly better hones in every way. That said, the Norton is still a very good hone and should you ever get the opportunity to pass your razor over a well prepared example you will not be disappointed in the result.

BTW it was Modine that reviewed the Norton, not Sham.

Thanks for the reply on these..... I did some follow up reading on these. I wouldn't mind trying one of these out for giggles, but NOT going to pay that kind of money for a hone. I'll use my Thuri for touch ups if needed....Maybe even on a coti......

Since Norton is still an active company, I wonder if this formula to make these is "lost" or if not lost, they could make theses again?
Would be funny as hell if Norton/ Pike was secretly releasing these to the market with Vintage markings and getting BIG dollars for em......

Originally Posted by Willisf

Thanks for the reply on these..... I did some follow up reading on these. I wouldn't mind trying one of these out for giggles, but NOT going to pay that kind of money for a hone. I'll use my Thuri for touch ups if needed....Maybe even on a coti......

Since Norton is still an active company, I wonder if this formula to make these is "lost" or if not lost, they could make theses again?
Would be funny as hell if Norton/ Pike was secretly releasing these to the market with Vintage markings and getting BIG dollars for em......

if curiosity gets too high- just buy it, try it and resell it

Whee, went for $760! Day-um!

Some people would say that price was a great deal on it and others would say that is way too much!
No way I would pay that kind of money for a hone. Nope....not going to happen......lol

I would imagine someone who collected vintage NOS hone would be will to pay that price and add it to their collection.
Only reason I'd get more hones is to use them.....

Then Sham reviewed it over at his site and said something crazy like it gives an edge equivalent to the Gokumyo 20k (I can say if this is true or not true as i've never used either) so people started going nuts over them. Usually the more threads written about them (like this one) when people google the stone then more the demand and price goes up.

First of all not Sham reviewed this barber hone , but Mike / Modine / as he reviews a hell lot of barber hones .
Mike put a lot of time , money and effort to do something for everybody , so i dont thing this statement is apropriate , sir .
They both and other people , all of them reputable members , make something good for all of us ,lazy users , to see the diference in edge , that diferente hones give .
I can assure you that theyre efforts are not related to sales of advertizing and promoting anything , they do it for the sport . I dont think that the Modines review is raizing the hone prize , maybe many honers respect his opinion for stones and edge , as they go mad for this barber hone . Mike haz a very powerfull microscopes and make his reviews very profetionaly .
He haz experience , more than a 80 % of us here , as he try nany finishers and barber hones . If you read carefuly , he claims that many of them even degrade a 8 K edge significant .
I thing that there is needed a effort to do what they do , so lets respect them for theyre honesty . Doesnt like your statement and i disagree with you .
If you or somebody else think those reviews are incorect , let be free to make , documentate ad post Better reviews for this barber hones . In other words proove that those datas are incorect , but embended with evidences .

The competition axe men pay $$$$$$ for certain hones. Competitors will often pay very high prices for hard to get items that may give them an advantage in a tight competition.