Norton 4k/8k sandpaper lapping problem- need some options

Hello,

I've spent the last two weekends trying to sandpaper lap my norton 4k/8k. Per the instructions it came with, I have used norton 240grit and norton 800 grit w/d sandpaper. The paper was wet and the stone soaked properly.

The lapping process went just fine, and it's nice and flat on both sides. I followed the advice I've read here and gave it a good brushing before swapping the grits over under running water, but...

The 4k side went just fine, but the 8k side definitely has some grit stuck in it. As per what other people have described here, it feels perfectly smooth (almost like glass), but when I run my test razor over it, it hits small rough spots or actually catches. When I look at the stone, I can see a couple of small brown spots (a tiny grain, which would be otherwise invisible other than being against the yellow background). It seems to catch on those areas, and then leaves long marks on the stone that look like pencil marks as the razor moves over them. For a time, I thought that it looked like the pencil marks from the lapping coming up out of the stone. I've re-sanded it down again and removed those, but more appeared yesterday in different areas.

Now, I'm wondering whether or not I can recover this by going up to a higher grit to sand it back, and then higher again to finish? Or once it's having this problem, do I need to get a norton flattening hone or a DMT D8C to really fix it up?

The DMT'S cost over twice as much in Australia as they do in the US, so I'll have to get one shipped out (I've seen them locally for $135). I could get a norton flattening stone for less of course, but given that I've spend about $30 on sandpaper already, I'm thinking I should just cut my losses and get a DMT if you guys think I can't fix it by changing sandpaper grit.

I'm only going to use the stone to refresh my daily shavers, so if the norton stone would be more cost effective, then I'd be interested to hear about that. I've read that the norton flattening stone needs to be lapped as well, but I'm not sure if that's 100% correct. If it does, then the DMT would no doubt be the way to go (I don't want to get into laparama).

regards,

craby

The grit either came from the sandpaper or the hone itself. Sometimes a norton hone will have grit embedded in it. In either case, you've got to get the grit out of there. You might as well lap it further to try to get the grit out. I'd go back and start over. Make sure you use plenty of running water.

If you really get stuck, send me the stone in Taiwan and I'll lap it for you with my DGLP. Just pay shipping from Taiwan.
PM me if you're interested!

I had exactly the same problem with my new Norton and I bought the Norton Flattening Stone to solve it. I have other natural hones (coticules, etc.) that can be lapped on abrasive paper but the Norton needs something like the NFS or a diamond plate. The NFS is relatively inexpensive but, if you try to use it to flatten anything but another Norton, it dishes out very easily.

In my case, I'm not restoring razors, just maintaining a few razors that already have a good bevel so I hardly use the Norton 4K/8K. I can't justify purchasing a DMT for myself. It probably would make sense for someone who hones a lot of razors or restores razors.