Norton 220/1000 vs. pure 1000 (vs. DMT)

Hey guys,

I am looking to get a complete full range of hones, so that I have a bevel setter all the way up to polishing...I currently have Norton 4k/8k, Naniwa 12k, as well as diamond and Chromox paste. I guess that means what is left is to acquire a dedicated bevel setting stone.

First, is there any benefit to getting Norton 220/1000 combo vs. Norton 1000? I suppose a pure 1000 stone has more stone, but does the 220 come in handy enough that it would be worth it, or is the pure 1000 a better choice.

Second, I've read that the DMT 1200 is a good choice for bevel setting, but may cause microchipping initially, whereas the Norton 1000 is a slower cutting stone, but does not create microchipping. What say ye'? DMT or Norton?

If I have the 1k (or equivalent), 4k, 8k, 12k, pastes, is it safe to say that with proper technique and patience, that it would be possible to hone most razors into shave ready condition (including Ebay razors)? And that without the 1k (or equivalent), I would have a much more difficult time with some razors b/c I would have to rely on the 4k as the bevel setter (which technically is possible, but much more time consuming)

Sorry about the length of the post...any help/opinions would be great...thanks, guys!

The advantage to the 220/1000 is that if you are repairing a razor with ugly chips, it would be MUCH easier on a 220 grit stone (or a comparably low grit DMT for that matter). Grind them out with the 220, set the bevel with the 1k, and then move up the grits.

I'll let others with more useful experience compare the norton and the DMT for bevel setting.

I would recommend the 220/1000 because you never know the condition of the eBay razors when you get them. The 220 will make faster work of setting the bevel or repairing slight chips. The 1k side will help to save your diamond plate if the blade just needs *a little* work.

The only thing missing is a lapping plate/stone for the 220/1k stone. You can't use the DMT1200 to lap those.:(

I just answered this in another thread too, but I will type it again...

Doing mostly restores, I very, very, rarely drop below a 1k stone...

A 220 or or something in that range is for complete edge rebuilding before a bevel set...

A Norton 220/1k is a GREAT stone and a great price... and from your progression would fit right in...

If you do not have a dedicated lapping stone at this time, then if I were you I would get the DMT 325 and the Norton 1k, The DMT can serve double duty for bad bad work, and as a lapping plate, not a bad idea for a stone that will get very little use....

I forgot to mention....I also have the DMT 8C (which I believe is the 325 grit) - I got that as my dedicated lapping plate.

I suppose that based on your advice, Glen, I could use the DMT 8C instead of a 220 if I ever needed to drop below 1k. If that's the case, it would make more sense to get a pure 1k rather than the combo, right?

Yes, you can use your DMT to hone (it is 325). It sounds like going with just the 1K would be a good choice.

When I was making the same decision myself, I went with the 220/1K (by King, not Norton). The only reason was that the combo was a bit more expensive and I don't anticipate wearing through the 1K side of the combo anytime soon. (I've never even used the 220 side of my stone.) I'm sure I will wear through it at some point, but by then I may find a different 1K that I prefer.

The only thing that I will add is that I really prefer the individual hones. As you said, it is more hone, but it is also easier to work with. It give you two identical surfaces, so you need to lap/refresh less often. In addition, you can lay the hone on its side and you have a narrow hone which comes in handy for some blades. I rarely use the 220 grit hone, but I do use it for large chips.

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Originally Posted by Razorburne

I forgot to mention....I also have the DMT 8C (which I believe is the 325 grit) - I got that as my dedicated lapping plate.

I suppose that based on your advice, Glen, I could use the DMT 8C instead of a 220 if I ever needed to drop below 1k. If that's the case, it would make more sense to get a pure 1k rather than the combo, right?

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Yeppers just like Ron said, that would give you in your situation the best bang for the buck....

The DMT leaves some pretty deep scratch marks. I only use it in between the 220 and the naniwa 1k now.

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Originally Posted by Leighton

The DMT leaves some pretty deep scratch marks. I only use it in between the 220 and the naniwa 1k now.

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Agreed that the DMT (1200) leaves pretty deep scratches, but IME the norton 4k wipes them out in a hurry.