Thread: King 4/8 vs Norton 4/8

The Norton 8k is tough to beat, and I have been looking.

I use a Nubatama 1 & 4k, Norton 8k, Naniwa Super Stone 12k and GS20 or natural finisher.

So far that is the best progression I have found. My 8k is getting thin and will probably replace it next year with a new Norton 8k, or Shapton glass.

Never used the King 8k, but have an old King/Ice Bear 10k that was my finisher for many years, before I bought my pink 12K SS. It is almost as good as the 12K Super Stone.

I'm leaning towards a Norton.. although I like the king it seems I would be on my own in terms of getting help with them. Hmm we will see!

Originally Posted by Euclid440

The Norton 8k is tough to beat, and I have been looking.

I use a Nubatama 1 & 4k, Norton 8k, Naniwa Super Stone 12k and GS20 or natural finisher.

So far that is the best progression I have found. My 8k is getting thin and will probably replace it next year with a new Norton 8k, or Shapton glass.

Never used the King 8k, but have an old King/Ice Bear 10k that was my finisher for many years, before I bought my pink 12K SS. It is almost as good as the 12K Super Stone.

I concur with you. That Nubitama you taught me to use was incredible. The only problem is, it seems to have gone the way of the unicorn. I haven't been able to find it on CKTG since our last honing get together. It on my "to buy" list!

My first new stone was the Norton 4/8k combo stone from Lee Valley.
Still have it and it's the stone I compare all others to when I start to learn their nuances.
For under a hun CDN, can't be beat. Coupled with the wealth of info from experienced honers on said stone, it's really a must have for anyone starting to hone their own. IMO.
Since getting the Norton, I have expanded my collection to include a king 1k, barber carborundum hone 152, Grecian natural, thuri, Escher, Jnat(s), Phig, Charnely, Coti, and DMT. All have their place, based on razor, but the 4/8 still makes an appearance on every razor I restore.

That might seal the deal for me Mike...

I don't need the Norton or any other hones for that matter. I usually do it all on a coticule but sometimes I just don't have it in me to do 1000 strokes and fiddle around with it to get the finish I want. Do you know what I mean?

Totally do Scott.
Tough to repeat pressure, stroke, and touch a thousand times in a row as well.
I found, early on, I was bearing down too much when trying to set a bevel on ebay beaters, even on the 4k Norton so I got the king, and then the DMT for those fixer uppers. Getting to a coarse bevel faster with less downforce 'seemed' to keep my edge looking better (narrower and even) along it's entire length of blade. I'd widen out the mid blade on a few old wedges before the toe and heel came close to meeting and then frustration set in, to my own disservice.
Really all my blades, once 'there', never drop below the 4/8 stone again. Hence why my collection seemed to expand at the high grit end I suppose.
I'm probably going to replace the king with the naniwa green brick when the time comes, but everything else I have currently I am quite happy with, as is.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Best thing I ever did, swapping my Kings for Shaptons.

I should add, I also regret selling my King 1200. Perfect stone for getting the right 'colour' on the bevel side of laminated J/Knives.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Out of interest, which one(s) is your favourite? Or if mixed which progression would you use?

I sold off my set of Super Stones & my Norton 4/8 years ago when I learned the Shapton GS stones. To me, they do more work & I do less. My normal routine is Naniwa Chosera 1K, Shapton 2,4,8,& 16K or G20, followed by YG Escher. This combination works on every razor I have ever encountered since I started using it. If I am feeling frisky with a good hard steel blade, I will stop at G20 for a wicked sharp feeling blade. I do miss the norton 4/8 from time to time though & will most likely end up with another one as I loved the 4K for my kitchen knives.

I still have a couple lower grit Kings for my knife making.

Please don't get me wrong, IMO you can't go wrong with Naniwa, Norton, or Shaptons...Shaptons are just my pick & what work for me.

Hones are varied and many. Something for everyone in every situation with every preference. All are a means to an end, IMO. Choosing the right tool for the job is what counts most of all.
JMHO

I have a fondness for King Stones. Back in the 70's when I started straight shaving I used mainly oilstones and barbers hones to maintain my razors. Kings and SunTiger where the first waterstones I every used. It was such a revelation and so much easier and less time consuming. I had a 1K and 6K and finished with pasted strops. They are soft and dish easy but I still have them and use them just for nostalgia purposes and familiarity.