Questions about a new Norton 4k/8k

Hi! I have just spent the last hour with the search engine, so thought I would just ask, since I'm not finding what I need.
I'm thinking about buying my first hone, and have decided on the Norton 4/8. Seems like the stone the majority probably start with. I am currently using lapping film and getting great edges, but would like to try water stones. But I do not have the budget to develop HAD. A 4/8, followed by a 12k in the future, will be the goal.
I currently set a bevel on 2k wet or dry, but I know from reading on the forums that it is possible to set the bevel on the 4k side of the Norton. Also, I know for $50-$70 I can get a decent 1k bevel setter later, and that's in the plan for the future, but I prefer to start with the 4/8. But these stones will pretty much be it for me, I think.
So I have a few questions.
Firstly, I have read somewhere that the 4k/8k is now manufactured somewhere else, but don't remember where. Mexico, maybe? Has there been any decline in quality that would make this stone less useable than what it has been for decades? Is this still a solid choice for a beginner like me?
Also, I plan to keep it level with plate glass and 400 wet or dry. Is this grit correct, or do I need something finer?
Finally, other than an initial lapping before first use, what, if any, other prep do I need before this stone is ready for use?
Thanks in advance for your help.

I don't have an answer for the quality of the Norton not manufactured in the USA.
bevel setters can be found for under 50.00 in the 1k range,,,,,,, Carborundums on ebay, ,, King brand,,, setting a bevel with 4k can be done,,, depends on the condition of the razor and your experience.

I have a pair of Norton single grit 4k/8k, and I've had the Mexican made combo in the past. Sold it when I got the single grits. They work well for me. The only thing I would add to your plans is a DMT D8C 325 diamond plate for lapping the waterstones. You can do it with sandpaper, but that gets expensive after awhile, and the plate works really well, even after 7 years of use. I use mine on kitchen knives (sharpening) as well. :gl:

I have been able to get really nice edges off the Norton 8K. Once you have that dialed in you can follow it with any finisher. I am not a fan of my synthetic finisher and stick with naturals. If you choose to develop a relationship with a natural hone, it can be a long deep rabbit hole, but a lot of fun and smooth edges to be HAD. I have no idea where my Norton was made. I have also had my DMT plates for a long time and they do get plugged up and need to be cleaned periodically but last and last.

Just to further confuse the issue ...... years ago I heard that the 8k Norton is a natural. Supposedly was 'made' in Italy back then. I know for a fact that you do not need to soak the 8k single grit. It comes with brief instructions that say that. Of course you do need to soak the 4k, so if it is bonded to the 8 they both get soaked.

Back when they transitioned to Mexico I was told that it is still the same 8k, just finished off and packaged in Mexico. I don't know about the 4k. The 8k I've got, and the combo I sold, are a different color than the one seen in Lynn's DVD from years ago. I'm pretty sure that was the Italian 8k.

I'm not sure about any of this, except that you don't have to soak the 8k if you have the single grit. So if anyone has differing info please don't hesitate to post it. I was wrong once before. :)

I started with the Norton 4/8 about 20 months ago not an issue,
After spending hours repairing and setting bevels on the 4k I got a Nani 1k to speed this up if you are setting on the 2k film the 4k will be able to finishe the bevel set off & start the polishing.
then went the Nani 12k to Finnish and touch up
I have only used 360 & 400 grit wet & dry on glass then a marble tile for lapping etc
I only soak my Norton while I bevel set or for about 1/2 an hour before use it if doing multiple razors.
The 4k will most likely need a fair bit of lapping using the pencil grid method

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.

I've used grits from 320 to 600 to lap my Norton: not as a progression, but just whatever was lying around. And yes, I just tape it onto a glass pane from a picture frame. As long as I use the pencil grid method, and plenty of water, it's worked great.

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:)