Thread: Interesting reply from Norton

Nice suggestion, I hope Norton makes it happen!

Originally Posted by Marshal

I'm with Harrywally. Love the 4/8, and would definitely find the money for a 12 or 16 if they put it out.

I would be too, but I'd wait for some folks to report on them before I pulled the trigger. Anyway, I'll believe Norton when I see the stone

Marshall, if you were to reply to them would you ask them what the binder is on the two stones ? IIRC the 8k is a natural of some sort. I know, from their instructions that come with the single grit, that the 4k needs soaked, but NOT the 8k.

I'm curious about binder because ALL the other synthetics I've tried move and need to be lapped back to flat. Not the Nortons. Only when they began to wear do I need to lap them.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

Norton does make and have made quality hones for many years. I have my grandfathers Norton 'Queer Creek' hone he used to spit on when honing his razors. Not sure when it was made, maybe in the 1940's, because they changed the name from 'Queer Creek' to 'Clear Creek' around 1946 or 1947.

The hone is in very good condition, I keep it in a wooden box for protection. Have not honed a razor on it in years, not sure what grit it is but may give it another shot to see where it fits in the progression mainly to get an idea what grit it is.

Got one of those stones from Eric (can't recall his screen name) who used to be around. Works great on my pocket knives.

I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a higher grit offering, for the simple fact that even the coarsest 12K hone from a reputable manufacturer can be used for our purposes. So I'd be willing to wager whatever Norton offered would be useful for something, even if it needed a little Chrome Ox or a couple passes on a natural to take the 'bite' out of the edge. But judging by their 8K, I think that would be a non-issue. No way to know unless they move forward with it and put something on the market though.

I haven't replied to them yet, but I have been kicking around the idea of pointing them here with a link to the thread. That way they could see at least a bit of interest/excitement about the potential of a finer than 8K offering from them. If I do I'll definitely inquire about the binders.

Agreed that one of the better points about the Norton line is how comparatively little lapping is necessitated. My Norton 1K has been used to set countless bevels and work the chips from about every straight I own. Last time I lapped it, the stone was more or less still flat. It just needed swarf cleared from the pores. It didn't even feel like it slowed down, I just thought it looked trashy with the swarf starting to rust & brown the hone. Same could be said for my 4k and 8K hones. I didn't lap them to flatten them, I lapped them to clean them. They were still flat, just turning a bit darker black than I cared for.

I also like the fact that even though the 8K may not need soaking, throwing it in the same bath with the 1K & 4K doesn't hurt the stone in the least. No worries about the stones soaking too long and falling apart. The minimalist aspect is kind of nice too. 1 - 4 - 8 and that's it. No need to ponder if it's better to have 1/2/5/12, 1/3/8/12, 1/5/8/12, 1/3/5/8/12, 1/2/3/5/8/10/12, or any other combination of the stones that can be contrived. Adding a 12K or 16K JIS type stone would put them in league with Naniwa and Shapton, without the system becoming cumbersome. Especially if it keeps the qualities we like about the 4K and 8K.

Originally Posted by Marshal

I haven't replied to them yet, but I have been kicking around the idea of pointing them here with a link to the thread. That way they could see at least a bit of interest/excitement about the potential of a finer than 8K offering from them. If I do I'll definitely inquire about the binders.

Thanks Marshall, If and when you do reply to them I'd mention the other players, Shapton pro and glass, Naniwa super and chosera, Suehiro .......... any others that might be taking market share at that 10-12k level.

If they made their 12k with the same binder that they make their 4/8 with I'd go for it too I guess.

BTW, my single grit 4k stays in a rubbermaid sealed container of water. Has for years and never a problem, and I also hit them with the diamond plate to get rid of swarf/staining. Great stones really, just don't have the following they once did.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I would be too, but I'd wait for some folks to report on them before I pulled the trigger. Anyway, I'll believe Norton when I see the stone

Marshall, if you were to reply to them would you ask them what the binder is on the two stones ? IIRC the 8k is a natural of some sort. I know, from their instructions that come with the single grit, that the 4k needs soaked, but NOT the 8k.

I'm curious about binder because ALL the other synthetics I've tried move and need to be lapped back to flat. Not the Nortons. Only when they began to wear do I need to lap them.



Got one of those stones from Eric (can't recall his screen name) who used to be around. Works great on my pocket knives.

Mine had a sticker on the side but it came off but I wrote down the info; Norton Abrasives, Behr-Manning, Troy, NY (Division of Norton Co.), Original Pike Quality with picture of a fish, Queer Creek Oilstone.

I like my Nortons and agree with much of what has been posted here.

I am having another of my random thoughts.

Would their binder that we like be able to hold the smaller particles of a 12K?

Yeah, and I think the reason for that is Naniwa, Shapton, etc. going beyond 8K. Naniwa goes to 12K. Shapton goes to 30 in the Glass line and 12K in the Kuromaku line. All 3 lines arguably have more user friendly 1K hones. If someone bought a Naniwa Traditional/Specialty/Professional 1K, and a 12K Specialty Stone, It's almost inevitable the purchaser would at least get a 3K & 8K Specialty to fill in the middle grits. Same could be said if someone went with a Shapton Glass 1K & 16K/30K, or even a Shapton Kuromaku 1K & 12K. Someone that started with a Norton 1/4/8 and branched out at the top & bottom is almost bound to fill in the middle with the new line rather than at least sticking with the 4/8 - even though there's nothing wrong with them. And that's assuming they didn't see the line end at 8K and decide right then and there to go with Naniwa or Shapton. Or even King with the Ice Bear 10K.

I think about everyone's had the Norton 4k & 8k. And I haven't seen much negativity around them (save for maybe the Made in Mexico 4Ks). They're just a bit weak on the bottom end, and non-existent passed 8K.