Thread: Questions about a new Norton 4k/8k

Yep. Watching Glen and Lynn's videos on lapping right now. And Lynns 4k/8k circle method video as well.
Thanks for all the replies so far.

The norton 4/8 is what is the first stone I got, I would recommend it.
norton use to have quality issues with this stone which required you to lap an 1/8 inch off the 4k side stone just so it was smooth. the 4k side used to be made in mexico. they have since switch countries of manufacturing and solved the problem. (by the way my 4k side of mine is manufactured in italy and the 8k is from USA (stated on the box) and it did not need excess lapping.)

also I do not have a 1k or 2k bevel setter, but instead use my broken in DMT D8C ,which is 325 grit, to set bevels. i go right from that to the 4k and it works great. the dmt is also only around $50 and is awesome to lap stones with. if you are going to stick with straights then lapping on sandpaper will waste money in the long run.

You can’t go wrong with the 4/8K Norton, just make sure to lap it well. 2-3 cycles of gridding and lapping.

You can lap flat with Wet & Dry, but for maintenance is a pain in the butt. A diamond plate is so much easier. You will lap it each time you use it and sometime refresh while you are using, especially if you will be bevel setting with the 4k.

Chef Knives To Go has a new, dual grit, 400/1k Diamond plate for $40. You can lap on the 400 and bevel set on the 1k, just do not use a lot of pressure to bring the bevels together.

I just ordered one, but have used their $30,140 grit plate for years. I can’t count the number of stones it has lapped.

If they have gotten their act together then it's a good bargain, if not you will have a headache. I bought one a number of years ago, it was an amazing stone and I wore it out. I bought one two years ago, and it was gritty and rough. I lapped it down over a 1/4 inch on the 4k side, it never got past the grit so I exchanged it for another. (Luckily bought it locally) My new one had the same darn problem, so I returned it and bought a Chosera and and Naniwa to replace it.
From the above post it sounds as if they have worked the kinks out, but I got burned twice so they lost me! Let us know what you end up with